Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering
Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest Lands
VERSION 2011-1
April 26, 2011
This document will be updated periodically as new information becomes available.
Table of Contents
A. Purpose ................................................................................................................................................ 3
B. Key Principles ....................................................................................................................................... 4
C. Bureau of Forestry Gas Management Team ........................................................................................ 6
D. Guidelines for Record-Keeping and Right-To-Know Issues ................................................................. 9
E. Guidelines for Public Safety ............................................................................................................... 12
F. Guidelines for Ecosystem and Multiple-Resource Management....................................................... 13
G. Best Management Practices .............................................................................................................. 16
1. Seismic Surveys .............................................................................................................................. 17
2. Well Pad Sites ................................................................................................................................. 19
3. Water Acquisition, Transport and Storage..................................................................................... 22
4. Water Disposal ............................................................................................................................... 25
5. Roads .............................................................................................................................................. 26
6. Pipelines ......................................................................................................................................... 48
7. Compressor Stations ...................................................................................................................... 50
8. Vegetation Management ............................................................................................................... 53
9. Invasive Plants ................................................................................................................................ 54
10. Restoration.................................................................................................................................... 55
11. Recreation ..................................................................................................................................... 59
H. Guidelines: Review and Approval Process ........................................................................................ 62
I. Gas Program Waiver Requests ............................................................................................................ 66
J. Guidelines for Conducting Routine Field Inspections ......................................................................... 68
K. Guidelines for Emergency and Pollution Incidents ............................................................................ 72
L. Appendixes ......................................................................................................................................... 78
Appendix 1: Trade Secret/Confidential Proprietary Information Notice ........................................... 79
Appendix 2: State Forest Rules & Regulations ................................................................................... 82
Appendix 3: Planting and Seeding Guidelines.................................................................................... 85
Appendix 4: Invasive Plant Management Guidelines ...................................................................... 101
Appendix 5: Restoration Guidelines................................................................................................. 113
Appendix 6: Emergency Contact Information .................................................................................. 150
Appendix 7: Abbreviations key for guidelines ................................................................................. 153
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
A. Purpose
Administering Oil & Gas Activities on State Forest Lands
The Bureau of Forestry (BOF) manages Pennsylvania’s State Forest lands (SFL) for an array of resources
and values including plant and animal habitats, recreation, timber, and oil and gas production.
Decisions, both policy and on-the-ground, are guided by many sources of information including laws and
regulations; public input; the State Forest Resource Management Plan (SFRMP); gas leases and
contracts; and guidelines and procedures. The purpose of this document is to establish a set of
“guidelines,” that provide protocol and guidance on managing State Forest lands towards our mission.
Mission
The mission of the Bureau of Forestry is to ensure the long-term health, viability, and productivity of the
Commonwealth's forests and to conserve native wild plants.
The Bureau of Forestry will accomplish this mission by:
Managing State Forests under sound ecosystem management, to retain their wild character and
maintain biological diversity while providing pure water, opportunities for low-density recreation,
habitats for forest plants and animals, sustained yields of quality timber, and environmentally sound
utilization of mineral resources.
The Bureau of Forestry’s mission statement clearly states the environmentally sound utilization of
mineral resources, which includes oil and gas, as a key component of State Forest management. Oil and
gas management decisions must be based on the mission and work toward ensuring the long-term
health, viability, and productivity of the Commonwealth's forests and to conserve native wild plants.
The Commonwealth is fortunate enough to own the subsurface rights to most State Forest lands; yet
approximately 15% of these rights are owned by private interests. These lands present a complex
challenge to land managers as management of the surface lands can, at any point in time, be impacted
by the rights of the subsurface owner to reasonably develop their property. Considering the variety of
complicating factors involved in oil and gas development, it is important for Bureau of Forestry staff to
have a detailed understanding of the applicable lease, private lease holder agreements and goals set
forth in the SFRMP to successfully manage oil and gas activities on State Forest lands.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
B. Key Principles
Administering Oil & Gas Activities on State Forest Lands
According to the policy statement in the State Forest Resource Management Plan, “…The extraction of
mineral resources on State Forest lands will be managed and utilized by exploration and development
using wise and sound conservation practices for the long-term good of the citizens of the
Commonwealth.” When administering the activity, whether through the Lease or other agreement with
a private owner, several key principles should guide management decisions:
Overarching Principle: The Bureau of Forestry will promote forest sustainability by managing the social
and ecological impacts of oil and gas development according to lease agreements and rights afforded to
private owners of subsurface oil and gas interests.
1. The Bureau of Forestry is responsible for managing and protecting natural resources on State
Forest land, especially species of concern, ecologically significant communities, and primitive
recreation zones in a multiple use environment where competing activities on State Forest lands
may be in opposition.
2. The safety of workers and the general public will be foremost when making management
decisions.
3. The Lease is a binding contract and the Bureau of Forestry is obligated to enforce the Lease
provisions on behalf of the Commonwealth.
4. In situation where subsurface rights are owned by private interests, the Bureau of Forestry will
strive to apply the principles and guidelines contained in this document by fostering a close
working relationship with the private owners and educating them about State Forest
management including the principles of ecosystem management. It is paramount that BOF staff
recognizes and understands the rights of private subsurface owners and not require specific
actions, but they should also consider the mission statement of the Bureau of Forestry and strive
to make decisions which are in the best interest of the resource and the citizens of the
Commonwealth, for which these lands are managed. In addition, the Bureau will make every
attempt to secure a Surface Use Agreement with private subsurface interests to ensure their use
of the surface coincides with the State Forest management goals.
5. These guidelines are intended to help Bureau staff administer oil and gas activity. However,
certain instances might require staff to deviate from these guidelines and make decisions based
on their training, experience, and professional judgment.
6. These guidelines should be considered minimum standards as more restrictive requirements
may be necessary on a case-by-case basis. Operators are required to comply with all state and
federal laws and regulations.
7. The siting of roads, pipelines, impoundments, compressor stations, well pads and associated oil
and gas infrastructure should consider existing disturbances such as road networks, rights-of-
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
way corridors, or abandoned mine lands in order to minimize fragmentation, invasive plant
species introduction and long-term impacts on State Forest lands.
8. Operators will provide the Bureau with work plans relating to oil and gas development,
production, and transmission prior to the initiation of the activity. The Bureau will work with
the operator to plan the development in a manner which minimizes impacts to State Forest land
and its resources.
9. Bureau of Forestry staff will follow monitoring or inspection guidance by inspecting disturbance
activities associated with oil and gas development on a weekly basis. More frequent inspections
should occur as operations and weather conditions dictate. Site inspections are considered a
very high priority for the District.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
C. Bureau of Forestry Gas Management Team
The Bureau of Forestry has created a Gas Management Team (GMT) in order to facilitate the
management of its extensive gas drilling and development program across State Forest lands,
which involves the majority of the Forest Districts in the system and a significant part of the
headquarters staff. This team is a natural outgrowth of the recent Gas Summit Meeting. The
team will be responsible for all day-to-day management of the gas program including; liaison to
the operator’s field staff and operations staff, new well pad approvals and location, seismic
survey approvals, water impoundment approvals and location, new road construction and
condition monitoring, gathering pipeline approvals and construction, water withdrawals and
transport, community contact, and all other various miscellaneous tasks that accompany gas
well development, production, and site restoration. The management of the gas program
includes all leases issued by the Commonwealth and all oil, gas and mineral (OGM) activity on
SFL under private ownership not subject to a surface use agreement with the operator.
GMT meetings will occur once a quarter, and will involve training in oil and gas issues and
information exchange regarding the activity in the various districts. As with the operator
meetings we will review the past quarter for hindsight opportunities and discuss the coming
quarters for informational purposes. Problem solving and pollution events will be highlighted.
The Minerals Section will be the lead in planning and hosting the quarterly meetings and
disseminating general knowledge.
The following Bureau staff members have current assigned positions within the GMT and have
duties that directly relate to management of some aspect of gas activity or management of
staff with gas activity responsibilities:
Headquarters:
Deputy Secretary’s Office:
(717) 787-2703
Bureau of State Parks:
(717) 787-6640
Vacant
Director’s Office:
(717) 787-2703
Dan Devlin
Mike Lester
Bradley Elison
Division of Resource Planning & Inventory:
(717) 787-2703
Matt Keefer
Craig Chapman
Paul Roth
Joe Petroski
Lori Nygard
Bob Barth
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
Division of Operations and Recreation:
(717) 787-2703
Chris Plank
Dave Mong
Matt Reed
Division of Forest Fire Protection:
(717) 787-2703
Rural & Community Forestry Section:
(717) 787-2703
Communications Section:
(717) 787-2703
Silviculture Section:
(717) 787-2703
Ecological Services Section:
(717) 787-2703
Randy White
Minerals Section:
(717) 787-2703
Ted Borawski
Amy Randolph
John Piekara
Arianne Proctor
(PRR staff position)
Rachel Billingham
Seth Cassell
John Hecker
Ellen Shultzabarger
Chris Firestone
Mark Faulkenberry
Core Marcellus gas districts:
D9 - Moshannon State Forest:
(814) 765-0821
DF:
ADF:
Gas Forester:
Bob Merrill
Martin Lentz
Jason Cotton
D10 - Sproul State Forest:
(570) 923-6011
DF:
ADF:
ADF:
Gas Forester:
Doug D’Amore
Rich Kugel
Dennis Sorgen
Bob Fitterling
D12 – Tiadaghton State Forest:
(570) 753-5409
DF:
ADF:
ADF:
Gas Forester:
Jeff Prowant
Tom Casilio
Jason Stellfox
Greg Kisko
D13 - Elk State Forest:
(814) 486-3353
DF:
ADF:
Gas Forester:
Jeannie Wambaugh
John Sidelinger
Andy Sidelinger
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
D15 - Susquehannock State Forest: DF:
(814) 274-3600
ADF:
Gas Forester:
Chris Nicholas
John Wambaugh
Ron Doughtie
D16 - Tioga State Forest:
(570) 724-2868
DF:
ADF:
Gas Forester:
Roy Siefert
Justin Shaffer
Dan Dicamillo
ADF:
Gas Forester:
Rich Glinski
Joe Dotzel
vacant
D2 - Buchannan State Forest:
(717) 485-3148
DF:
ADF:
Gas Forester:
Jim Smith
none assigned
Steve Keiper
D4 - Forbes State Forest:
(724) 238-1200
DF:
ADF:
Gas Forester:
Ed Callahan
Cory Wentzel
Ralph Campbell
D6 - Gallitzin State Forest:
(814) 472-1862
DF:
ADF:
Forester:
Forester:
Terry Stemmler
Mark Maser
Dan Snyder
Michael Nelson
D8 – Clear Creek State Forest:
(814) 226-1901
DF:
ADF:
Gas Forester:
Gary Frank
Mark Bodamer
Walter Visneski
D11 – Lackawanna State Forest:
(570) 945-7133
DF:
ADF:
Gas Forester:
Nicholas Lylo
none assigned
none assigned
D14 – Cornplanter State Forest:
(814) 723-0262
ADF:
Scott Rimpa
D20 - Loyalsock State Forest: DF:
(570) 946-4049
Peripheral Marcellus gas districts:
D19 – Delaware State Forest:
(570) 895-4000
DF:
Nicholas Lylo
ADF:
none assigned
Gas Forester:
none assigned
Note: A detailed list of contact information for the gas management team will be available at
each forest district office.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
D. Guidelines for Record-Keeping and Right-To-Know Issues
General communications:
Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date contact list for routine and emergency use is essential
to responsible and efficient communications. An initial contact list for all possible state and
federal agencies with possible primacy on State Forest lands during oil and gas drilling and
production operations is set forth in all lease agreements under Exhibit “C”.
Bureau of Forestry staff should strive to maintain accurate records of internal and external
communications for all projects and investigations. A permanent file will be maintained and
include legible copies of all documents and records.
1. Bureau of Forestry staff will openly communicate and provide support when requested
to facilitate the oil and gas administration process, minimize adverse impacts and avoid
potential conflicts.
2. The Bureau of Forestry will proactively communicate with operators to facilitate the oil
and gas administration process, minimize adverse impacts and avoid potential conflicts.
The Bureau of Forestry will respond to operator requests in a timely manner.
3. The Bureau of Forestry will maintain its cooperative relationship with the Department of
Environmental Protection, Bureau of Oil and Gas Management (DEP-BOGM). State
Forest District Offices should coordinate field inspection activities with DEP-BOGM
Regional Offices, if possible. The District staff is not responsible for enforcing
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations, state or federal laws
governing the impacts to the environment. Staff should observe, document and report
any activity which results in pollution or damage to the environment to the proper
authority.
4. District staff should become familiar with the following DEP manuals or permit
processes:
DEP’s Oil and Gas Operator’s Manual, which provides an overview of statutes,
regulations, and recommended practices for oil and gas activities.
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES permit process for oil
and gas operations (DEP Bureau of Watershed Management). DEP DOCUMENT
NUMBER: 550-2100-008, Policy for NPDES Permits for Stormwater Discharges
Associated with Construction Activities at Oil and Gas Wells, provides guidance
concerning the NPDES compliance.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
5. Gas foresters should become familiar with the applicable Lease document and its
exhibits, and should contact the Subsurface Programs if any questions arise concerning
the interpretation of the Lease.
File maintenance protocols:
Bureau of Forestry staff should strive to maintain accurate records of internal and external
communications for all projects and investigations. A permanent file will be maintained for
every area of development (typically on a tract basis) to include:
1. Copies of all correspondence
2. A copy of the executed lease
3. Plans submitted by operators:
a. Seismic surveys
b. Pipelines
c. Roads
d. Well pad development plan
e. Erosion and Sedimentation (E&S) plan
f. Water sourcing and waste handling plan
g. Site restoration plan
h. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all chemicals stored and used on State
Forest lands (these may be obtained by contacting the operator)
4. Other maps or drawings
5. Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) report(s)
6. Inspection reports that will indicate whether or not the operator has obtained or
completed the following required DEP permits and plans. These items are also required
to be posted on site at all times.
a. DEP Bureau of Oil and Gas Management’s Well Permit
b. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit
c. Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan
d. Preparedness, Prevention, and Contingency Plan
7. Contact information for routine and emergency situations shall be maintained by the
district and the operator in an up-to-date status at all times.
File security & proprietary data handling:
The Bureau of Forestry is committed to making public records easily available to persons
requesting them; however, it is also concerned about protecting confidential and proprietary
information which is routinely provided by oil and gas operators. This sensitive information is
critical to the Bureau’s efforts to plan and review oil and gas development on State Forest
lands. Records pertaining to oil and gas development are dynamic- information which may be
considered proprietary and confidential in the planning stages and is often considered part of
the public record upon development and construction. Due to the complexities and
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
uncertainties surrounding the designation of such information, the following guidance should
be adhered to:
All information provided to the Bureau by a lessee or private operator should be
considered confidential and proprietary. This information may not be released to a
third party without written authorization from the lessee or private operator.
The only exceptions to this guidance are in the event of an emergency or pollution incident
where time and information are critical to first responders. In this instance, the staff is
empowered to make professional and rational decisions on a case-by-case basis.
This guidance is also applicable when addressing the public. The Bureau has a basic educational
role regarding the Commonwealth's natural resources, including oil and gas activity. As such,
the Bureau will continue to fill this educational role to the best of its abilities while ensuring
that confidential and proprietary information is protected.
Operators are highly encouraged to utilize the Trade Secret/Confidential Proprietary
Information Notice (Appendix 1) for any information provided to the Bureau which is deemed
by the operator to be confidential or proprietary in nature.
Right-to-Know laws in Pennsylvania:
Third parties may request records regarding oil and gas activity on State Forest lands using the
following methods:
1. Directly from the operator
2. Informally by following the DCNR Procedure for Informal Requests of Records
3. Formally pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Right-To-Know Law by following the DCNR Policy
for Responding to Right-To-Know Law Requests
Certain fees may apply for requests for records under either DCNR process.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
E. Guidelines for Public Safety
1. Operators must abide by the State Forest Rules and Regulations (Appendix 2).
2. Well-site clearing restrictions regarding recreational areas such as State Forest Picnic
Areas, trails and vistas will be enforced to provide for public safety and protection.
3. Public access to dangerous surface structures or equipment (primarily during active
drilling operations) should be restricted by posting, gating, and/or fencing to provide for
public safety and protection. Each operator will be responsible for onsite security,
wherein direct access to an active well site pad or water impoundment will be the
responsibility of the operator. The operator will post a copy of State Forest Rules and
Regulations (Appendix 2) at the entrance to operations (i.e. well pad).
4. For reasons of safety, the Forest District Manager should temporarily remove joint-use
roads used by the operator from the snowmobile trail system during periods of heavy
use. If the roads are not removed from the joint-use system, plowing will be prohibited
unless the operator has the specific written permission from the Forest District
Manager.
5. Forest District Managers should coordinate the timing of oil and gas activities with the
operator to avoid public conflict and to minimize damage to State Forest roads. Forest
District Managers should consider suspending activities requiring heavy trucking during:
Periods of heavy public use such as hunting season or trout season
Weather conditions that make the roads impassable
Traditionally wet periods when road damage is most probable
During the spring frost breakup
Note: Trucking should be closely monitored during high-use and wet periods if it is not
possible to suspend activities.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
F. Guidelines for Ecosystem and Multiple-Resource Management
Consistent with the Bureau of Forestry’s ecosystem and multiple-resource management
policies, oil and gas exploration and development will be conducted in a manner that minimizes
adverse impacts to water, soil, flora, and fauna resources and is compatible with other uses of
State Forest land such as timber management, watershed protection and recreational activities.
The following practices should be followed to maintain the BOF’s ecosystem and multipleresource management policies for oil and gas exploration and development:
Use Existing Disturbance: Oil and gas development and associated infrastructure should
utilize existing disturbances such as road networks or rights-of-way corridors in order to
minimize fragmentation on State Forest lands. For example, in cases where public safety,
recreation, aesthetics, and ecological resources are not affected; well-sites could be placed
along existing roads or in existing openings, limiting fragmentation and additional land
conversion.
Maximize Protection on Legacy Leases: Bureau of Forestry staff will work to maximize the
protection of State Forest resources, uses and values in instances where legacy leases do
not include those provisions found in the current lease. For example, recent Marcellus
leases limit the total well pad sites allowed on a lease tract but the majority of the
Department’s historical leases do not reflect such limitations.
Comprehensive Planning and Review: Bureau of Forestry review should occur as early in
the development process as possible so that ecosystem management and planning tools are
incorporated in oil and gas development and planning. To aid BOF staff, the following plans
should be requested from and submitted by the operator:
A. Gas development plans (includes pads, roads, pipelines, water withdrawal, water
transport, water storage)
B. Water sourcing, storage, handling and disposal plan
C. Erosion and sedimentation plans for all facilities as it becomes available
D. Completed ecological surveys
Avoid, Buffer or Minimize: Bureau of Forestry staff will work to minimize potential adverse
impacts to specific ecological, aesthetic, recreational, or infrastructure resources by
avoiding them all together, appropriately buffering them or minimizing the impacts by
incorporating techniques such as timing restrictions.
Setbacks: The following set-back restrictions for gas activities found within recent lease
agreements are below. Please refer to the specific lease terms for each tract,
as setbacks vary within the lease agreement iterations. These setbacks are
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
used to maximize the protection of State Forest resources in current, legacy
or non-leased areas.
a) 200 feet of any building
b) 200 feet of any stream or body of water
c) 300 feet of any exceptional value (EV) stream or body of water (as defined by the
EQB)
d) 300 feet of any State Forest Picnic Area or sheltered area which has been so
designated by DCNR
e) 300 feet of any trail, road or existing right-of-way
f) 300 feet of any area of historic value, tree plantation, overlook, vista or fire
tower site
g) 300 feet of the boundary line of the leased premises
h) 600 feet of the boundary line of State Park lands or of designated Wild and
Natural Areas on State Forest Lands
Additional Setbacks: In addition, the following specific restrictions may apply where
applicable for appropriately siting gas activities.
a) 200 feet from a wetland, vernal pool, spring seep or other wet areas
b) 300 feet from a wetland, vernal pool, spring seep or other wet areas with a T&E
species of special concern
c) 300 feet from designated High Quality (HQ) waterway
d) Any requested buffers for endangered, threatened, rare, candidate or tentatively
undetermined species or communities of special concern as requested by DCNR,
PGC, FBC or USFWS
e) Additional setback restrictions may be required on a case by case basis (i.e. steep
slopes, high recreation areas or other conditions which warrant the area being
considered significant)
Note: Requests to encroach upon the identified setbacks may be considered on
a case-by-case basis. Whereas, it may be preferable to locate a wellsite
within a setback in order to minimize fragmentation or protect a
significant resource. Waiver applications for these instances will require
State Forester (or their designee) approval. A request to waiver a specific
setback may require State Forest Environmental Review (SFER) and
Resource Planning should be consulted.
Development and Well Spacing: The operator has agreed to drill wells as reasonably prudent
as possible; however, not all leases have well spacing limitations. Newer leases hold operators
to a maximum number of well pad locations, or total disturbance of a predefined acreage,
whichever occurs first (see tract lease for specific limitations). If an operator wishes to deviate
from the well pad numbers or acreage, a waiver and State Forester approval will be required. In
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
legacy lease areas or areas without a lease, BOF staff will work with the operators in planning
and identifying opportunities to limit conversion and fragmentation to SF lands.
Note: No oil and gas activity of any kind, including but not limited to drilling, pipeline or road
construction, shall be permitted, nor shall they be subject to waivers, on the surface of
State Forest Wild or Natural Areas or within State Parks where the Commonwealth
owns the oil and gas rights.
Long-Term Landscape Restoration: It is important to begin thinking about long-term
restoration goals early in the planning processes. Therefore, Bureau staff should coordinate
with the operator early in the planning stages and consider long term landscape restoration
goals. Often, these goals aid or influence decisions regarding gas related infrastructure and its
placement upon the landscape. Additional guidance is provided under the Best Management
Practices (BMP’s) for restoration.
Note: Drilling or well site clearing refers to all construction activities associated with oil and
gas development including: gas well-pad sites; road; water impoundments; water
withdrawal areas; pipelines (gas or water); staging/storage areas; and compressor
stations.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
G. Best Management Practices
1. Seismic Surveys
2. Well Pads Sites
3. Water Storage Facilities
4. Water Disposal Facilities
5. Roads
6. Pipelines
7. Compressor Stations
8. Vegetation Management
9. Invasive Plants
10. Site Restoration
11. Recreation
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
1. Seismic Surveys
Seismic data are acquired to enable the successful exploration and development of certain oil
and gas reservoirs including the Marcellus Shale. The acquisition of seismic data is considered
integral to understanding complex lithologies and reservoirs. Additionally, the acquisition of
seismic data is inseparable from oil and gas exploration and development rights. Two types of
energy sources are commonly used in seismic surveys in Pennsylvania:
Dynamite surveys: utilized for cross country surveys where road access is
limited; drill buggies, heli-portable drills or tracked machines drill a 20 foot
“shot-hole” every 220 feet along a linear survey route; data collection receivers
(or geophones) are placed at fixed intervals and data is collected
Vibroseis surveys: utilized when a sufficient road network exists; large weighted
trucks strike the road surface and collects data in a similar fashion described
above
Seismic data are typically acquired in two-dimensional (2-D) or three-dimensional (3-D) form as
evidenced by the image produced of the subsurface.
2-D surveys: require an energy source that is in line with the receiver to produce
a vertical profile of the subsurface
3-D surveys: require a multitude of shot-holes and receivers collecting reflection
signals from points outside the plane of the energy source to produce a “cubelike” profile of the subsurface; more complex, labor intensive; and more landbase required
Best Management Practices
a) The use of mulchers or all-terrain vehicles to clear vegetation or to lay cables
should be avoided on State Forest lands. These have significant potential to
remove T&E plant species and introduce or spread invasive plants. Hand-cutting
is the preferred method to remove or clear vegetation for seismic activities.
b) When mulching is necessary or preferred, the request is to be reviewed on a
case-by-case basis and a waiver is required. If approved for use, guidance on “no
mulch” buffers, establishing blockades (i.e., rock barricades or gates), and other
operational protocols will be provided.
c) In areas where sensitive habitats or T&E species occur, have a qualified biologist
flag or accompany each survey crew to identify and avoid sensitive areas. It is
highly recommended that a meeting between the contractor and Bureau staff
occur prior to the initiation of seismic activities.
d) Vibroseis trucks and helicopters (with portable drills) are typically associated
with fewer disturbances and are preferred in sensitive areas. Drill buggies used
for dynamite surveys should avoid all sensitive and wet areas.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
e) Operations should be scheduled to avoid conflicts with visitors (i.e., hunting
seasons and holiday weekends) and critical wildlife nesting or mating seasons.
f) Timing operations to avoid activities during wet seasons and wet periods outside
of wet seasons will minimize impacts on soils, water, and vegetation. Please see
the Recreation BMPs section for timing restrictions.
g) When determining and accessing seismic lines, use existing roads and trails to
the maximum extent possible.
h) Position survey lines and access routes to eliminate stream crossings and the
encroachment on important riparian buffers.
i) Use low impact vehicles that will not disturb the soils and vegetative root
systems. Seasonal timing will aid in minimizing impacts on vegetation.
j) The Bureau of Forestry will monitor and inspect seismic lines to assure
compliance with identified areas of avoidance.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
2. Well Pad Sites
Marcellus Shale well pads are more developed and much larger in size than those associated
with traditional gas development. A typical Marcellus well pad is approximately 3.5-7 acres in
size and can host upwards of 12 individual wells with an estimated drainage area of more than
640 acres. The truck-mounted rigs associated with traditional gas development have now been
replaced by hi-tech computerized rigs weighing several thousand tons. The sheer size of the
rigs requires construction of a solid pad that can adequately support the weight of the
equipment and provide for its maneuverability.
Well pads are prepared by removing and stockpiling the topsoil, lining the area with geotextile
fabric and covering with several thousand tons of stone. Stone is backfilled and compacted to
extreme tolerances to assure a consistently flat surface which allows the rig to “walk” or “skid”
from one well to the next. Well pads are large enough to accommodate all components of
drilling and completion. The final footprint of the well pad is primarily dictated by the method
of water storage utilized by the operator. During the hydro-fracing and completion process,
nearly every square inch of the pad is occupied. Well pads may also include a lined reserve pit
or series of steel tanks which capture the drilling mud and materials removed from the bore
hole. Pipeline rights-of-way and access roads are not considered part of the well pad.
Best Management Practices:
Site selection and design
a) Current site conditions, to include landscape conditions and characteristics,
should be evaluated and documented prior to disturbance. This will provide
baseline data on the original conditions for restoration at a later date.
b) Operations should avoid riparian areas, floodplains, lakeshores, wetlands and
areas subject to severe erosion and mass soil movement.
c) Well sites should be designed to fit within the landscape and minimize excessive
“cut and fill” construction practices. In many cases, well sites may be designed in
an irregular shape, not rectangular.
d) In visually sensitive areas, locations should be selected that provide for
vegetative and topographic screening. If that is not possible, vegetative species
that provide screening, such as white pine, should be planted.
e) If feasible, well pads should be located in a manner that reduces impacts to
forested areas (e.g., areas adjacent to existing roads).
f) Well pads should be sloped to collect/contain spills when possible; suitable
alternatives include: ditching, to provide appropriate surface drainage; or
secondary containment controls, to capture, contain and isolate discharges. If
necessary, additional controls for the collection of storm water and other
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
mechanical fluids should be implemented to minimize the possibility for
contamination.
g) Portions of the well pad exposed to chemicals, fuel, non-freshwater fluids, or
active operations should be lined with an impervious geotextile liner to deter
chemicals or fluids from reaching the groundwater in the event of a leak or spill.
Construction
a) On-site crew leaders for all logging crews working on State Forest land must be
trained under the Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
b) Topsoil should be segregated and stored separately from subsurface materials to
avoid mixing during construction, storage, and interim restoration. Topsoil
stockpiles should be vegetated with a native seed mix to minimize erosion and
maximize reclamation potential. Topsoil stockpiles should not be stored under
plastic, which may kill the seedbank stored in the original topsoil.
c) Rocks, stumps, tops or slash should be pushed to the edge of the opening and
used for wildlife habitat enhancement wherever possible. Please consult the
Ecological Services Section for specific recommendations on enhancement
opportunities. In those instances where vegetative debris cannot be
incorporated, guidance will be provided on other beneficial uses (e.g., chipping
or stockpiling) if applicable.
d) Matting typically used for erosion control may entangle or cause injury or
mortality to wildlife. The properties of natural jute matting allow the threads to
move and the openings to expand. Natural jute matting is preferred and should
be used in place of the stiff, synthetic netting.
e) The importation or spread of invasive plants can cause significant ecological
degradation and should be prevented. Please refer to the invasive plant BMPs
section for more information.
Spill Safety
The following BMP’s are intended to protect ecological and recreational resources on and off
State Forest lands and should be adhered to. These measures are required in sensitive areas or
sites within 300ft of a wetland, seep, vernal pool, stream, T&E species or habitat, or as directed
by the Department, to decrease the likelihood of an off-location spill:
a) Use double-wall tanks for the storage of chemicals and liquids.
b) Wherever possible, store chemicals and liquids inside storage trailers. In the
event that a liquid needs to be stored in a well ventilated environment, the
storage facility should employ secondary containment controls. Storage or
secondary containments should be underlain with impervious geotextile.
Product and hazard labels should be legible at all times and replaced as
necessary.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
c) Install concrete sump collection boxes downslope of all gravel-lined diversion
channels. Collection boxes provide containment for the purpose of using the onsite spill vacuum to permanently pump out spills.
Aesthetics:
a) Aesthetics should be considered when siting gas infrastructure. In visually
sensitive areas, locations should be selected that provide for vegetative and
topographic screening. Siting within the established aesthetic buffer (300 feet)
of heavily used public use roads and high use recreation areas should be
avoided. Consider supplemental plantings of white pine, or similar species, to
establish or enhance vegetative screening.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
3. Water Acquisition, Transport and Storage
The water intensive nature of the Marcellus shale play requires significant, advanced planning.
A comprehensive oil and gas development plan that includes water acquisition, transportation,
storage and disposal should be submitted to the Bureau for review and approval before the
initiation of construction activities on State Forest lands. DEP and corresponding interstate
River Basin Commissions have jurisdictional responsibility for surface water resources and
associated withdrawal requests; however, the Bureau of Forestry has ultimate authority for
decisions which affect State Forest lands. The utilization of water resources on State Forest
lands is considered a privilege and not a right.
Water use in association with gas activities on State Forest lands may take the following forms:
surface water withdrawal (by Lessees)
surface water withdrawal (by non-Lessees)
groundwater well withdrawal
earthen or temporary water impoundments
permanent or temporary pipelines that transport water between withdrawal
sites, impoundments and gas well pad sites
permanent or temporary pumping stations
The development of a single Marcellus well requires 2-6 million gallons of water for the
completion (i.e., fracing) process. This quantity of water must be readily available and in close
proximity to the well site during the extent of this process. Water storage requires substantial
resources for the volume of one million gallons of water is equivalent to 3.069 acre feet or
133,685.24 cubic feet. As such, the means and location of water storage has a significant
impact on the amount of land utilized for oil and gas development. Traditionally, dozens of
tanks were set upon the well pad for storage and the water was transported via trucks to fill
them. Alternative methods have been proposed and are currently being utilized which reduce
or eliminate truck traffic, decrease the size of wellpads, and make use of existing, non-forested
openings. When impoundments are properly sited, they can accommodate the needs of
several well pads and dozens of individual wells.
Best Management Practices:
Water Acquisition
Groundwater wells may be used from time to time as a supplemental source of
freshwater for completion operations. Groundwater wells will be reviewed and
approved on a case by case basis as determined through a multi-discipline
review process. The review includes determining the hydrologic characteristics
of the area (both surface and groundwater), assessing the potential for
ecological impacts due to the resulting cone of depression and local water table
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
lowering, and assessing the suitability of a proposed location based on its
proximity to recreation, roadways, riparian areas, etc.
Water Transportation
a) Whenever feasible, freshwater should be moved from centralized storage
facilities to an active location(s) through the use of piping. This practice
significantly reduces the frequency of heavy hauling across State Forest lands
minimizes the possibility of vehicular conflicts and decreases air and dust
pollution.
b) The piping of freshwater may involve above-ground or buried water pipeline
networks, or a combination of both. Above-ground piping should be laid out in a
manner to reduce aesthetic impacts and the potential for vandalism to the
extent possible. Where applicable, buried piping should minimize additional
earth disturbance and be co-located with natural gas pipelines, buried in the
ditchline or vegetated berm, or trenched and buried beneath the running surface
of the road.
Water Storage: There are several options for water storage and should be reviewed chosen on
a case by case basis:
Earthen impoundments: non-portable, open pit that may involve significant
construction operations; typically 5-12 acre disturbance
PortaDams: semi-portable, above-ground impoundment consisting of heavy duty
liners on a steel framework; perimeter can be lined with frac tanks for screening
and additional storage capacity; typically 3-5 acre disturbance
Above-ground Storage Tanks: semi-portable, bolt together, cylindrical tanks that
are often set on concrete pads; typically 2-3 acre disturbance
a) Water impoundments should be double-lined to reduce leaks and tears
during pumping
b) Use of a manifold/dry-hydrant system to alleviate the need for the “loose
hose” method of filling/emptying; this system should also contain the
appropriate metering scheme for water accounting
c) Fresh water storage should be prevented from becoming septic.
Aeration systems can be installed to deter the water from becoming
septic.
d) An under-drain system should be installed to cycle any possible leak back
into the impoundment until the leak can be fixed. This would deter the
leak from going undetected.
e) Effective exclusionary fences or nets should be installed to keep wildlife
from falling into the impoundments. If a problem persists the use of
deterrents could be incorporated.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
f) Jute matting should be used along the top, inside edge of an
impoundment to enable amphibians and small mammals to exit the
slippery plastic lined impoundments.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
4. Water Disposal
The fluids returned to the surface from a given Marcellus well after the completion will contain
a solution of dissolved salts, dissolved metals, chemical additives, undissolved bits of rock and
minerals and water. Approximately 15% of the water volume used during the fracing process is
returned to the surface during initial flowback. The flowback fluid also contains natural gas
which will be flared or sent directly to market if a pipeline is available on the pad site.
The spent frac water is disposed of via one of the methods described below:
1. The fluid may be flowed directly into a set of steel tanks for temporary storage. The
fluid is then trucked offsite to an approved facility for treatment and disposal. (Note:
flowback into lined, open pits is not permitted on State Forest land)
2. The fluid may be flowed directly into a set of steel tanks for temporary storage. The
fluid is then filtered and treated onsite, mixed with additional fresh water and reused in
subsequent frac operations.
Note: Closed loop systems are strongly recommended in lieu of reserve pits for all drill
fluids and cuttings. This information represents current best management
practices and will be revised as necessary to accommodate changes and
advances in technology which perpetuate environmental quality and minimize
impacts to State Forest land.
The use of fresh water, the reuse of the spent frac waters, and the treatment of flowback
waters are subject to continuously changing technology. This information represents current
best management practices and will be revised as necessary to accommodate changes in
technology and advances in best management practices which perpetuates environmental
quality and minimizes impacts to State Forest land.
Best Management Practices:
a) The reuse of frac water through blending methods should be implemented
wherever possible to limit the need for additional freshwater; this practice may
be best utilized when completing several wells on a common well pad.
b) The recycling of frac water through evolving technologies should be
implemented wherever possible to maximize the use of waters.
c) In the reuse and recycling processes mentioned above, all valves and associated
piping should be tested for connectivity and seal; during blending operations,
frequent inspections should be performed to ensure the continued integrity of
the operation.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
5. Roads
The Bureau of Forestry maintains State Forest roads for administration and management of
Pennsylvania’s State Forest system. Primarily dirt and gravel in nature, many State Forest roads
were cut from the forest or converted from old railroad grades by the Civilian Conservation
Corps of the 1930s. Today, their continual maintenance is a costly but necessary investment by
the Bureau of Forestry.
Many State Forest roads are open to the public, and they have a long history of providing
primary access to often remote tracts of public lands. It is essential to understand the
importance of these roads to the general public, and to respect the public’s time honored
expectation to use these roads as a means of access.
Accountability for road maintenance and associated road costs ultimately falls upon the Bureau
and the Bureau’s staff. Road maintenance is carried out at the district level and performed by a
skilled staff of maintenance employees under each district’s direction. The Bureau has
developed and adopted dirt and gravel road maintenance techniques that maximize efficiency
and minimize costs. The Bureau also works closely with The Pennsylvania State University’s
Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies to select and adopt best practices for road maintenance
and construction. Any action taken to construct or modify a road should be compatible with
the Bureau’s road maintenance and construction techniques.
As guiding principles, the following themes are important to keep in mind when making
decisions regarding use, maintenance, and construction of roads:
Safety – unsafe or hazardous conditions shall not be created or sustained.
Accommodate or Account for Shared Use – all users must be considered and in
some cases, restrictions may be necessary. State Forest roads must be
maintained to a standard allowing safe passage for two wheel drive vehicles.
Compatible Methods and Materials – materials and methods must be
compatible with the Bureau’s current specifications and practices.
Future Maintenance Costs – nonstandard construction or maintenance practices,
overbuilt roads, or substandard materials or practices can cause undue increases
in future maintenance costs.
Consistency – to the extent that it is practical, consistency is expected and
required throughout a district as well as between districts.
Environmentally Sensitive – The Bureau endorses and prefers the utilization of
environmentally sensitive road maintenance practices whenever possible.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
New Road Construction
Although the preferred method of gaining access to natural gas drilling pads and facilities is by
way of existing State Forest roads, at times it may be necessary to construct a new permanent
or temporary roadway. A properly located and constructed road will be more cost efficient and
will have limited adverse impacts on water resources, including wetlands and aquatic and
riparian habitats. Well-drained and properly surfaced forest roads built on solid bases minimize
erosion and allow for more optimal access during the spring frost break up and other wet
weather conditions. Furthermore, properly constructed and maintained forest roads will save
money in the long run by lengthening maintenance cycles and reducing the down time that will
occur if roadways become an environmental liability.
Using Best Management Practices for construction of forest roads will ensure opportunities for
safe, efficient and profitable operations, and a well-planned and properly constructed forest
road is necessary to effectively protect the forestland and water quality when moving to and
from the drilling site.
Materials
The materials used to construct new roads will vary depending on local availability, geology and
topography, commercially available sources of aggregate and other factors. Some districts lack
sources of quality surface aggregate, while others have abundant commercial sources of
crushed limestone and/or sandstone. Regardless of the specific type of materials found locally,
always use the most suitable and highest quality that is available. The Forest Manager will
advise as to the location and availability of the best materials available for new road
construction, and may, if the original road is lacking a standard adequate base, offer the use of
suitable shale or other sedimentary rock “borrow pits” near the drilling operation.
There are two major differences between surface aggregate (top coat) and road base material.
Good base course material will generally have larger stone and a minimal amount of clay or fine
material, thereby providing for good strength and permeability. Top road layers will be a well
graded mixture of stone sizes that includes a significant percentage of fines that are the binding
component.
DSA is designed to bind together mechanically without the negative qualities associated with
aggregates containing clay and silt, such as pumping and rutting during the wet season or
excessive dust during the dry season. If DSA is not locally available, a “dirty” 2A (also known as
2A modified) can often provide satisfactory performance if processed and placed correctly. 2RC
aggregate may be selectively used, but this broad specification, which can include significant
percentages of clay and silt, can allow for a wide range in product consistency from region to
region or within the same production facility.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
Geotextile
Geotextile is a generic name for tough woven or nonwoven, porous or impervious industrial
polymer fabric. Often referred to as separation fabric, it is used to underlay base aggregate
layers on soft sections of roads that are likely to rut excessively. Most newly constructed forest
roads will incorporate the use of geotextiles.
Sandwiched between the native road sub-base and the introduced road materials, the
geotextile not only allows water on the road surface to flow through the aggregate layers,
fabric and into the ground, but also keeps the sub-base material from working up through the
layers (or “pumping”) and contaminating the gravel road surface as trafficking occurs. Fabric
also serves to distribute vehicle weight more evenly across the base material. This dramatically
reduces rutting and mud transfer. The use of geotextiles can also significantly decrease the
amount of crushed rock necessary to stabilize a road and keep it serviceable.
Several types of geotextile are available in various sized rolls depending on material
composition and thickness. For maximum effectiveness, a geotextile should be installed on
critical/targeted forest road sections before trafficking begins or rutting occurs. The Forest
District Manager may require the use of geotextiles on all new road construction. General
installation includes establishing crown or cross-slope in the road subgrade and clearing it of
any large stones or other sharp objects that could puncture the fabric; then carefully rolling it
out, keeping it approximately 2 feet from the edge of the cartway. Anchor the fabric along the
edges with rocks or soil, then dump base aggregate along the leading edge and carefully spread
it over the fabric with careful blading. Repeat this process until the geotextile is covered with
the desired depth of base aggregate. If at all possible, vehicles should not drive directly on the
geotextile as the aggregate is being spread. Geotextile fabric should be buried beneath a
minimum of one foot of compacted cover (the depth of compacted surface material can be
included in this calculation). Careful road planning, along with the proper use of geotextile to
underlay crushed rock, where appropriate, decreases road failure and equipment damage,
eliminates problems with mud on public roads, and increases commercial production and
profitability. The width of the restored road once heavy hauling is completed should also be
taken into consideration when installing geotextile (see section on maximum width).
1. Roll out the fabric, keeping the fabric in approximately 2 feet from the edge of the
cartway.
2. Anchor the fabric along the edges with rocks or soil, then dump base aggregate along
the leading edge and carefully spread it over the fabric with careful blading.
3. Repeat this process until the geotextile is covered with the desired depth of base
aggregate.
4. Geotextile fabric should be buried beneath a minimum of one foot of compacted cover
(the depth of compacted surface material can be included in this calculation).
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
Geogrids
The use of geogrids in new road construction, or in the reinforcement of existing roads, can
have the following advantages over traditional road construction methods, especially in
situations where the cost or availability of quality road materials is a factor, or when
considering road width or permit requirements:
Reduced depth of fill required.
Reduced overall changes in road surface elevation needed to meet heavy hauling
requirements.
Minimized excess roadway widths associated with greater road fill depths.
Provides additional structural reinforcement in road sections prone to
accelerated degradation such as bridge approaches, rail crossings, intersections
with paved roads, and areas with poor subgrades.
Provides additional traffic support over, and protection of, proposed or existing
drainage features (crosspipes, cross-drains, culverts).
Maximum Depth
A stable road base is one of the most important fundamentals of road design. Placement of a
road surface aggregate over any material that cannot adequately support the weight of traffic
will severely hamper vehicular mobility and controllability. Moreover, lack of a sufficiently rigid
bearing material beneath the road surface will tend to produce excessive rutting, sinking, and
overall deterioration of the State Forest road, requiring a great deal of costly maintenance to
keep the road passable. Roads must be built to allow for the passage of the desired weight
vehicles and to assure the risk of sediment entering the waterways is minimized. Also, soft or
rutted conditions pose a serious threat to vehicular controllability and create unsafe road
segments. Therefore, it is important that stability of the haulage way be guaranteed
throughout its length. On some State Forest roads, the road surface is underlain by natural
strata such as bedded stone formations capable of supporting the weight of any haulage
vehicle. In these less common situations, a minimum lift of surface aggregate may be sufficient.
Unfortunately, most State Forest roads do not have a bedrock base, and adequate base layers
of quality fill will be needed. The Forest District Manager will determine the finished depth of
road materials given specifics such as the location of the road, the anticipated traffic and the
inclusion of geotextiles in the design. The following table offers some very general information
for aggregate depth in Pennsylvania (climatic region VI):
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
Suggested Wearing Course (Driving Surface) Thickness for New or Reconstructed Gravel
Roads
Estimated Daily Number of
Heavy Trucks
Subgrade Support Condition
Low
Medium
High
Low
Medium
High
Low
Medium
High
Low
Medium
High
0 to 5
5 to 10
10 to 25
25 to 50
Suggested Minimum Gravel
Layer Thickness (inches)
7
6
5
9
7
6
12
9
7
15
12
9
This designates suggestions for wearing surface course only does not account for material
quality.
Maximum Width
In all cases, newly constructed roads must be kept to the minimum width that allows operators
to safely gain access to the work site. The maximum width is set at 18 feet with a 16 foot wide
running surface. However, if conditions warrant, and with the permission of the Forest District
Manager, roads may be widened up to a maximum of 28 feet with a 26 foot running surface. In
all cases, roads must be returned to the 16 foot width when the need for the expanded
roadway ends as determined by the Forest District Manger. Roadways reduced to the
maximum of 16 foot running surface will allow the Bureau of Forestry to properly maintain the
roadway in the future without the need for excessive materials, grading times, etc.
Crown and Cross-Slope
Proper road shape is necessary in order to drain water from the road surface. Determining
proper crown and cross-slope on a gravel surface probably generates more controversy than
any other aspect of good maintenance.
Problems develop quickly when gravel roads lack sufficient crown. Water will quickly collect on
the road surface during a rain and soften the crust, leading to rutting (which can become severe
if the subgrade also softens). Even if the subgrade remains firm, traffic will quickly pound out
smaller depressions in the road where water collects (potholes). A properly built road must
have sufficient crown to drain the road surface, yet not so much side slope as to create an
unsafe condition in which the driving public does not feel comfortable staying on the right side
of the road. Drivers may begin to feel a slight loss of control if their vehicle wants to slide
towards the shoulder. Additional risks occur in regions that experience snow and ice cover, as
drivers tend to use the middle of the road regardless of the overall road surface width.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
Recommendations from supervisors and skilled operators across the country indicate that at
least ½ inch of fall per foot of road width (approximately 4%) is the optimal crown. Although it
is exceptionally difficult for any operator to maintain an absolutely uniform crown, the operator
should strive for as little deviation as possible.
It may be desirable to establish an in-sloped road surface shape where steep side slopes exist.
If this is the case, the entire road surface should be sloped to the interior, or up-slope, to a road
ditch using the same 4% side-slope. Keep in mind that additional crosspipes will be required
when an in-slope design is used. (Refer to the Informational Bulletin: Crown and Cross-Slope)
Ditches
When possible, sheet flow is the preferred drainage method when establishing new roads or
managing surface drainage on existing roads. This is accomplished by not establishing, or by
eliminating, drainage ditches that are parallel to the road surface. On side cut roads, or roads
with sustained grade where obtaining sheet flow is not practical or possible, a ditch or ditches
constructed parallel to the roadbed are essential for proper drainage. Ditches should be
installed or reshaped only during the period of year when there will be sufficient time and
moisture for vegetative growth to take hold, unless other specific measures are taken to
prevent soil loss. Such measures might include lining ditch bottoms with rip rap, utilizing a
design that specifies ditch size, adjusting shape and materials to account for anticipated flows,
or by incorporating other similar strategies. Ditch erosion can lead to major road damage and
deposit sediments in fragile downslope streams. Road ditches should be designed to handle
total volume and velocity of water for the particular road location.
To reduce flow volumes in parallel road ditches, multiple ditch outlets (crosspipes and turnouts) should be installed where suitable and stable outlet locations exist. Sheet flow is the
desired drainage method, and multiple ditch outlets are the next best option. Too few ditch
outlets creates an undesirable situation that can lead to water volumes and velocities that
overwhelm and destabilize ditches.
Ditch Size and Location:
The width and depth of a ditch should be based on anticipated runoff volume and on the
drainage needed for the road base. Water flowing in ditches should never come in contact
with, or be permitted to enter the base layers of aggregate supporting the road. Therefore,
a rule of thumb is to always allow at least one foot of distance between the edge of the
deepest aggregate layer and the constructed ditch.
Ditch Shape:
Parabolic or flat bottom ditches spread runoff water over a larger area than V-shaped
ditches, helping to reduce erosion by reducing water velocity. In addition, the faster water
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
runs, the better it is at keeping solid particles suspended. A flat bottomed ditch is
somewhat self explanatory in its design. However, keep in mind that the sides of the ditch
must be tapered sufficiently to create a stable ditch structure. A parabolic ditch shape can
often be obtained by mimicking the shape of an excavator trenching bucket as viewed from
the side. In this example, the back of the bucket represents the ditch back-slope, the curl
represents the ditch bottom and the floor of the bucket represents the ditch fore-slope, or
shoulder.
Parabolic ditch
Flat bottomed ditch
Ditch Stabilization:
Ditches must have some means to anchor the soil from washing away, such as vegetation or
rock lining. Ditches that lack such protection, or are too narrow or incorrectly shaped, will
continue to erode and compromise the integrity of the road surface. This erosion can be
reduced in several ways:
1. Facilitating ditch drainage through the use of culverts, turn-outs and other constructed
devices.
2. Widening the ditch channel. The wider and flatter the channel is, the more volume it
can handle at a slower velocity. The faster water moves, the greater its ability to pick up
and suspend solid particles.
3. Re-vegetating ditches as soon as possible after ditch establishment or ditch cleaning.
4. Where space constraints or excessive grades prevent wide/shallow ditches or
effective re-vegetation, providing for a stable ditch bottom by armoring it with rocks
or other material. Installing rock lining (rip rap) comparable in size to that left by the
storm water is a good design rule of thumb.
5. Geotextiles or geogrids are not recommended for ditch stabilization purposes.
Shoulders
The shoulder provides support for the edge of the roadway, and also serves as a safety buffer
for motorists, allowing them to maintain control of vehicles that veer off of the road. As a
drainage feature, the shoulder also conveys water away from the road surface to the ditch or
into the surrounding terrain, in the case of sheet flow drainage. The shape of the shoulder is
critical. The shoulder should meet the edge of the roadway at the same elevation, and should
taper gradually into the ditches. By maintaining this shape, hazards associated with low
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
shoulders or drop-offs are eliminated. Elevated shoulders that prohibit road surface drainage
from moving off of the roadway and into the ditches or surrounding terrain lead to problems.
These berms or curbs are very common along gravel roads, and are most often the result of the
natural migration of surface material to the road edge (moved by tires), or in some cases are
even created by poor grading techniques. This condition concentrates water on the road
surface, often causing a secondary ditch to form, and resulting in the deformation of the road
and an accelerated loss of surface aggregate. If left unaddressed, severe erosion/loss of
materials and subgrade will occur.
Surface Aggregate Placement Methods
Proper placement of gravel is essential to creating a road surface that is both functional and
durable. Depending on the type of materials available, several methods of placement are
typically used. DSA should always be placed with a track mounted motorized paver in one
uniform lift to the specified depth. This is essential to achieve maximum compaction. Other
types of coarser graded aggregates are typically tailgated along the length of a project and are
evenly distributed by a bladed machine. Decisions regarding the placement method on an
individual project will vary and are dependent on site considerations and logistics. Each project
will differ depending on factors such as the proximity of the road to surface waters and other
critical areas, the level of recreational use of the road, the availability of gravel trucks, timing,
etc. Therefore much thought must be given to the best possible method of placement at each
site.
While spreading gravel on a road surface, caution should be made to avoid casting material off
of the road edges where it cannot be recovered. Also, the use of vibratory or static rollers for
compaction creates a higher quality gravel road, and is essential for the successful placement of
DSA. Regardless of the aggregate used, the material must be compacted at optimum moisture
to achieve the maximum benefit. The Forest District Manager will expect the use of a roller on
any given project, and will dictate the final thickness of the compacted material.
Aesthetics
When planning for construction, the final appearance of the roadway is of the utmost concern
to the Forest District Manager. Long after resource recovery and/or other temporary
operations are complete, the road may be used primarily for recreational access to State Forest
lands. Snowmobile enthusiasts, hikers, hunters, naturalists, and other outdoor recreationists all
will appreciate an aesthetically pleasing roadway that appears as a natural part of the
landscape. Care should be taken to avoid excessive dozing and the creation of debris piles, etc.
, and all root balls and other excessive woody vegetation should be removed. Stone/soil piles
created when building drainage devices should either be removed or spread evenly and seeded
as determined by the Forest District Manager.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
Modifications of Existing State Forest Roads
Raising the Road Profile
Due to the long term effects of erosion, routine grading, heavy vehicular use, snowplowing,
etc.; road elevations often drop below the level of the surrounding forestlands resulting in a
condition known as entrenchment. Water falling on or draining to an entrenched road is
trapped and concentrated in the road cross-section. Parallel ditches, or tire tracks on the road
surface begin to function much like a stream channel for downslope water flow. Entrenched
road profiles make installation of crosspipes, turnouts and other drainage features very
challenging. Raising the road profile can eliminate the persistent maintenance difficulties
associated with an entrenched road.
Materials Commonly Used for Mass Filling Include:
Native shale/sandstone
Any kind of rock spoil
Bank run gravel
Concrete waste
Spent sandblasting sand
Some Important Considerations:
1. Select fill material carefully – be conscious of potentially hazardous materials. Local
shale/sandstone is the most abundant and likely candidate.
2. When adding fill material, it is ideal to raise the road enough that drainage is
restored to a natural condition. More specifically, ditch flow is replaced by sheet
flow from either the downslope side of the road or both sides of the road
(depending on topography).
3. Using a roller, place and compact the fill material in successive lifts. Each uncompacted lift should not exceed 12 inches thick.
4. Top-dress with an 8-inch uncompacted lift (6-inch lift minimum) of DSA using
recommended methods. If possible, “key” road edges to accept the DSA thus
creating adequate shoulders, and allowing for road edge compaction. The DSA will
be applied through a tracked mounted paver at the specified width, in one lift, and
compacted to 6 inches (or 4 inches using a 6 inch lift) with a minimum 10 ton
vibratory roller capable of vibrating to a force of 20 tons.
5. While adding fill is often the bulk of the work in fixing entrenched conditions, there
may be a component of rolling back the berms that develop over time. This work
will allow positive drainage via sheet flow into the forest. Berm removal can create
significant areas of earth disturbance and can result in NPDES permitting issues.
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Prompt stabilization of disturbed areas is essential (mulch). The best time of year to
do this work is late summer/early fall when conditions are generally favorable for revegetation, with leaf fall providing a considerable aesthetic value.
Use of Geotextiles
As in the construction of new State Forest roads, geotextiles will normally be required when
modifying existing State Forest roads. Woven geotextiles are most widely used for stabilizing
roads, as this synthetic layer keeps the layers of subgrade and base materials separate and
manages water movement through or off the roadbed. In installations where the roadway will
be subjected to severe loads, geotextiles of maximum durability should be selected. When
using geotextiles for roadway materials separation, strength and permeability should be
considered. Permeable fabrics allow moisture to move freely through the system, thereby
avoiding excessive hydrostatic pressures that can cause soil failure.
Road Widening
Clearing must only be wide enough to allow the construction of a road having a maximum
width of 18 feet with a 16 foot wide running surface. However, at the discretion of the Forest
District Manager, road widths may be widened up to 28 feet with a 26 foot running surface.
Following completion of heavy hauling needs, the road width will be restored to its former
width or a 16 foot wide running surface. This is in compliance with AASHTO (American
Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials) geometric guidelines for “very low
volume local roads.”
Staging / Turnout Areas
If staggered truck staging is anticipated, turnout areas are often requested. A maximum of 24
feet may be permitted, in addition to the road width clearing. Following completion of heavy
hauling needs, these areas will be restored to a condition specified by the Forest District
Manager. District staff should consider what these terms will entail prior to approving the
request and should discuss the terms with the operator in advance.
Road Restoration
All State Forest roads shall be restored to a condition equaling or better than their condition
prior to utilization for resource extraction activities. The Forest District Manager will determine
what restoration efforts are required and if the restoration results are acceptable. Based on
their experiences and practices in other regions, lease holders and operators may have a
different definition of restoration than that of the district manager. It is vital that final
restoration is compatible with Bureau of Forestry maintenance practices. Final restoration
must be fundamentally sound and not solely based on cosmetic considerations. Adherence to
the information in these guidelines will help achieve successful road restoration.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
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Ideally all restored State Forest roads (Z1) will be surfaced with DSA during the restoration
process. At a minimum, those portions of State Forest roads (Z1) that were DSA surfaced prior
to gas activities shall be restored with a running surface of DSA that meets material
specifications using a track mounted paver. After placement, the material is to be compacted
using a vibratory roller (10 ton minimum) and to be crowned to DCNR's requirements. Drivable
Trails (Z2) and Administrative Roads (Z3) will be restored to a running surface consisting of 2RC,
2A, or DSA aggregate based on the Forest District Manager’s terms.
Note: If surface aggregate is to be added to repair a section of a road, and not to the entire
road, it must be of the same type used predominantly in existing construction. Adding
non-DSA to a DSA road, and vice –versa, can create unsafe driving conditions.
Road Drainage
Without establishing proper drainage, even the best constructed roads are likely to fail and will
result in an unsafe, impassable and environmentally destructive condition. In addition, poor
road drainage will result in a loss of time and money. Two important drainage systems exist
when dealing with roads and road maintenance:
Surface Drainage
The surface drainage system collects water from the road surface, shoulders, banks, and the
area up-slope of the road, and then carries it away from the road corridor using sheet flow,
parallel ditches, bleeders, and/or culverts. The desired method of surface drainage on State
Forest roads is sheet flow into the surrounding vegetation; however, due to excessive slope or
other factors, sheet flow cannot always be established. Over time a road’s profile can drop in
relation to the surrounding terrain. Once the road is lower than the surrounding terrain it will
naturally collect and concentrate water. Such roads are known as entrenched roads, often
developing severe and costly water related problems.
Subsurface Drainage
A significant amount of road failures can be attributed to improper subsurface drainage
systems, inferior road subgrades, or a combination of both. Water can enter the road
subsurface (sub-base and subgrade) in numerous ways causing catastrophic failure. These
seepage from higher ground, percolating through an improperly drained road surface from a
rising water table and by capillary action (capillary action can take place even when the water
table is considerably lower than the road elevation).
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In Pennsylvania, it is typical for water to be a seasonal problem for roads. One of the optimal
ways to minimize the risk of road failures is to selectively schedule hauling operations to avoid
or minimize travel during the spring thaw and wet weather periods.
In winter, water enters the road profile as materials freeze from the top down, thus drawing
water up from below. If the subsurface drainage system does not carry the water away before
it freezes, the water will create excessive pressure. This pressure can deflect the road surface,
causing frost heaving. Varying soil types and road materials will affect whether or how much
the road heaves, and since temperature and soil type are not controllable, focus must be made
on improving subsurface drainage. A combination of subsurface drainage techniques and the
use of geosynthetic materials results in the most cost effective solution to alleviate frost
heaving.
Water trapped in the road creates more significant problems in the spring. As the road thaws,
it does so from the top down. The frozen subgrade and sub-base keep the water from
infiltrating deeper into the ground. When subsurface water cannot drain from the roadway, it
acts as a lubricant that softens the road and reduces its load bearing capacity. In order to avoid
this, the road’s subsurface drainage system must be comprised of a free draining sub-base and
an underground collector, normally referred to as an underdrain or subdrain.
In most situations, underdrains (perforated pipe bedded in clean stone and wrapped in a nonwoven geotextile fabric) provide the most cost effective and environmentally sensitive solution
to dealing with spring thaw, as well as perennial spring seeps, wet ditches and wet
embankments. Furthermore, underdrains keep the clean subsurface water from mixing with
sediment loaded water from the surface drainage system.
To create a road with optimal subsurface drainage capability, each road layer (sub-grade, base
aggregate, and surface aggregate) should receive an appropriate degree of crown or cross
slope. The desired shape of the finished road should be built from the bottom up.
Note: The Forest District Manager reserves the option to limit or prohibit heavy hauling during
spring frost breakup. Timing road maintenance operations so that roads receive
drainage and other upgrades well in advance of winter and spring frost breakup may
allow hauling operations to continue during these periods.
Dust Control
Numerous requests for application of dust suppressants associated with Marcellus operations
necessitated the development of guidelines for a Bureau-wide approach to dust control. In
addition to this, PA Code § 123.1 regulates dust particles that are considered fugitive emissions.
These guidelines will serve both managers and companies utilizing State Forest roads by
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reviewing the Bureau’s philosophy, offering consistent dust control practices, and addressing
the requirements of the law.
Philosophy
First and foremost, the Bureau recognizes that dust forms as traffic grinds the fines in the road
surface into particles small enough to become airborne. As a result of these fines leaving the
driving surface, our State Forest roads deteriorate and their longevity is reduced.
Studies have shown that dust control measures can reduce dust by 30-80%, and can cut
aggregate loss by 25-75%. Also, a dust control program has the potential to save 25-75% of the
cost associated with routine maintenance. Additional cost savings may be realized from
reduced vehicle maintenance, as abrasive dust wears mechanical parts. The Bureau also
acknowledges that other types of benefits exist from establishing a dust control program, such
as safety and an improved environment.
Despite these benefits, district-wide dust control programs do not exist, as many of our State
Forest roads traditionally see fewer than 15 vehicles per day on average. In addition,
operational budgets, equipment limitations, and staffing do not allow for widespread dust
control programs. This situation often results in addressing only those road sections that
receive public complaints. With the increase in traffic produced by shale gas extraction, dust
has begun to affect traditional users and has created safety concerns due to low visibilities.
Guidelines
The following dust control guidelines apply to State Forest roads:
A number of different control measures may be applied in unison to form an
environmentally sensitive dust control program. The most basic measures include:
1. Reducing speeds – State Forest Rules and Regulations prohibit speeds in excess of
25mph, and no exceptions will be made, regardless of the road width or sight distance.
2. Staging of trucks to allow sufficient time between individual passages to allow dust to
settle.
3. Applying non-potable water as a dust suppressant.
a. Potable water can retain chemicals that injure plant and aquatic life.
b. Water effectively suppresses dust, but often requires multiple applications daily
during dry periods.
c. Brine or other produced fluids SHALL NOT be applied to State Forest roads.
4. Selective maintenance of forest and roadside vegetation will help to shade the road
surface and lengthen the road’s drying time. The result is less dust, saved aggregate
replacement costs, and the reduction of large canopy-breaks in our interior forests.
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Application of Driving Surface Aggregate (DSA)
If dust control with water becomes inefficient or ineffective, the alternative could entail paverplacing DSA. After the DSA is in place, periodic blading, watering, and compaction of the new
road surface, in combination with the basic measures listed above will help to control dust.
This tier in an effective dust control program may be met with some resistance due to the initial
costs involved. However, this will likely be the most cost effective protocol if long term
operations and heavy hauling are anticipated. If there is significant resistance to the use of
DSA, managers should point out that it is in everyone’s best interest to comply with the four
basic steps listed above.
When heavy hauling associated with the construction and fracking phases ceases within an
area, and road restoration commences, the Bureau will require that State Forest roads receive a
top dressing of DSA. Therefore, companies will eventually need to make this level of
investment. By explaining this requirement to the companies, it may facilitate the application
of DSA at an earlier point and emphasize the need for periodic maintenance of our roads. It can
also engage the companies, and those working for them, to become better stewards of our
resources.
Dust Suppressants
Among other concerns, chemical dust suppressants have been known to change the chemical
properties of dirt and gravel roads to the extent that the road itself hardens and becomes
impossible to maintain using the Bureau’s standard maintenance practices. When the road
reaches this condition, the only alternative is to completely rehabilitate the road through full
depth reclamation. If all the measures listed above fail in satisfactory dust suppression, and the
Forest District Manager feels that the operators have made a good faith effort in maintaining
the road, only then should Forest District Managers consider the use of chemical dust
suppressants. In all instances, chemical dust suppressants should be considered a temporary
measure. Usage should be limited to the smallest possible time frame. When companies
express an interest in taking this step, managers should clearly convey to them that they shall
be responsible for restoring the road surface to a satisfactory condition should the physical
characteristics of the road change after such applications. When making such requests,
companies should consider selection of the chemical dust suppressant carefully. Suggestions
include:
1. Avoiding asphalt cutbacks (petroleum emulsions). Repeated applications have
produced roads that exhibit the same surface characteristics as paved roads, making the
surface exceptionally difficult to maintain with a grader.
2. Avoiding applications of any of the chlorides (sodium, calcium, and magnesium) as
suppressants or stabilizers, because they can have negative effects on plant and aquatic
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
life, and cause corrosion of metals. In addition, chlorides can exaggerate and extend the
“mud season. ”
3. Avoiding soy oils, as their use draws wildlife to the road.
4. Paraffin dissolved in mineral oil is merely a petroleum product dissolved in mineral oil
and should not be mistaken to be wax.
Recently, mineral and synthetic oil based products have emerged. Some of these products
show promise for use as dust suppressants. A pilot application of one such material has been
completed on State Forest land, but more observation and testing is needed before the Bureau
adopts general use of the products.
Operators shall not apply chemical dust suppressants without a district’s prior approval. A
waiver is not required for the application of chemical dust suppressants. However, the Bureau
wishes to monitor the usage of chemical dust suppressants. Prior to the application of any
chemical dust suppressant, the district shall provide notification by submitting an electronic
Dust Suppressant Notification form as provided on the Bureau’s Intranet web site. The
notification form should be submitted at least three days prior to the chemical application.
Best Management Practices for Construction, Modification, and Maintenance of State Forest
Roads
a) While reviewing and approving requests to modify roads, the district should
consider what will be required for proper road restoration.
b) Forest roads should utilize ditch elimination and sheet flow whenever the road
gradient and profile will permit usage. Sheet flow allows surface water to drain
off the road quickly and disperse into the surrounding terrain, minimizing
erosion potential.
c) Use in-sloping when constructing a road where road gradients are greater than
10%, or toward sharp curves, or when constructed on clay and/or slippery soils.
In such cases, the use of a sufficient number of under-road culverts positioned at
a 30° angle to ensure drainage to a stable up-slope ditch is recommended. The
use of broad-based or rolling (grade) dips is also encouraged.
d) Install water turnouts prior to a stream crossing at a distance far enough to
eliminate direct connectivity of road drainage to the stream. Outlets should be
stable and well vegetated. Re-vegetation or rock placement may be necessary to
stabilize a ditch outlet. Road gradients approaching water crossings should be
changed to disperse surface runoff water at least 50 feet from the stream.
Distance is measured from the bank to the edge of soil disturbance or, in the
case of fills, from the bottom of the fill slope.
e) In areas where it is unavoidable to route ditchwater into a sediment
management zone, bleeders should be lined with limestone aggregate of
sufficient size to disrupt flow velocities (#4 or bigger) and voids in aggregate
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
n)
should be filled with a limestone sand to filter water thoroughly. In all cases,
select vegetated and stable locations for surface drainage outlets (culverts, turnouts, dips, etc. ).
All road located within 50 feet of watercourses should be surfaced with erosion
resistant materials. Cut banks and fill should be stabilized immediately using
vegetation, rock, erosion blankets, or other suitable material. Install silt fence
barriers at outlets of any drainage structures that are constructed.
Roads should follow contour as closely as possible with road grades between 210%. Steeper gradients of up to 15% are permissible for up to 200 feet. By
reversing or changing grade frequently, and incorporating rolling grade breaks in
the road alignment, fewer erosion problems will result.
On highly erodible soils, grades should not exceed 8%. Graveling native road
surfaces can help maintain stability.
Where haul roads intersect highways, use appropriate gravel, mats, or other
means to keep mud off of the highway.
If needed, install rip rap or other devices at the outlets of culverts and dips to
absorb and spread water.
Use brush barriers or check dams as needed along roads and sensitive areas to
filter sediment.
Ensure that the surface drainage system remains open and functional at all
times, and that it is not impeded during hauling operations.
Inspect roads at regular intervals to detect and correct potential maintenance
problems.
If a new road must cross a stream, it should be done at a ninety degree angle.
Joint-Use Roads and the State Forest Snowmobile Trail System
Certain State Forest roads are utilized as part of the snowmobile trail system that DCNR
provides to the recreating public. State Forest roads that are open to motor vehicles and
snowmobiles at the same time are termed joint-use roads. These joint-use roads play an
integral role in the overall Commonwealth State Forest snowmobile trail network. The
Bureau’s snowmobile trail system opens the day after the last day of Pennsylvania's regular or
extended rifle deer season, and closes by April 1 each year. When gas development activities
will impact joint-use roads, the effects on the snowmobile trail system must be considered.
Planning that addresses snowmobile trail system impacts should be done as far in advance of
the snowmobile season as possible. Waiting until after the snowmobile season has opened to
address impacts has a much greater likelihood of generating conflict. When gas activities
impact roads that are part of the snowmobile trail system, the district must look at what
available options may provide the best solution to minimize potential conflicts and maximize
the safe use of the resource. Safety is a major consideration for any joint-use road situation.
Plowing Snow
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
In certain limited situations, plowing can be permitted as per the Bureau’s Joint-Use Road
Plowing Strategy. Plowing is not an appropriate long term solution, and it adversely impacts
trail conditions for the public (e.g., snowmobile enthusiasts). Plowing creates the potential for
conflict between user groups who have different expectations regarding State Forest road use.
Plowing any State Forest road without prior authorization is a violation of State Forest Rules
and Regulations (21.70a). Permission for plowing joint-use roads should be granted in the form
of a Letter of Authorization and should include specifics such as dates, remaining snow depth (if
applicable), and the number and width of plowed lanes permitted.
Long Term Disruption
When long term disruption to a joint-use road is anticipated a long term solution should be
sought. In some instances, an alternate road or trail can be found. In cases where gas
operators are placing pipelines next to the road, it may be possible to use that space as a
snowmobile trail. It is important to work with the operator in these situations. As a last resort,
and where a compromise cannot be found, it may be necessary to remove the road from the
snowmobile trail system. This may be preferred over providing substandard conditions to the
snowmobiling public. The Recreation Section of the Bureau is available for advice and guidance
regarding snowmobile trail strategies, route selection, and impact mitigation.
The Bureau maintains a website of current snowmobile trail conditions. If a change to a jointuse road is planned or has occurred (including plowing), it is vital to provide the Bureau’s
Recreation Section with that information as soon as possible, so that the public website can be
updated. This is particularly important if a change occurs during the open snowmobiling
season, so that the public can be alerted to the changes to the trail system BEFORE they show
up at the location.
Best Management Practices for Joint-Use Roads
a) Anticipate and plan for impacts to joint-use roads in advance of the
snowmobiling season.
b) Safety is the major consideration for joint-use situations.
c) Plowing, as per the Bureau’s Joint-Use Road Plowing Strategy, may be an option
in certain situations, but it is a compromise solution.
d) Closing a road to snowmobile use or removing it from the snowmobile trail
system, either temporarily or permanently, may be unavoidable.
e) In order to minimize the disruption to the existing snowmobile trail system, look
for opportunities to provide alternate routes.
f) Notify the Bureau’s Recreation Section as soon as possible concerning changes
(including plowing) that affect the snowmobile trail system.
g) Avoid “plowing one lane” solutions – either plow the entire surface or do not
plow at all.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
h) Operators may be required to open berms along plowed roads in advance of the
spring thaw to alleviate channelized surface and ditch flow of melt water,
especially on grades.
i) Any anti-skid or snow melting materials to be placed on roads should be
approved by the Forest District Manager, keeping in mind the potential impact
to snowmobiles, the road surface and the drainage system post thaw.
Erosion & Sedimentation Pollution Control (Chapter 102) and NPDES (Chapter 92)
Roadway maintenance activities are currently defined per Chapter 102 as earth disturbance
activities within the existing road cross-section, such as grading and repairing existing unpaved
road surfaces, cutting road banks, cleaning or clearing drainage ditches and other similar
activities.
Through policy, and until the current Chapter 102 regulations are revised, it is the intention of
the Bureau to implement the following definition/clarification of roadway maintenance
activities. This definition has received public comment as a part of the Chapter 102 regulation
revisions.
a) Road Maintenance Activities—earth disturbance activities within the existing
road cross-section or railroad right-of-way including: shaping or re-stabilizing
unpaved roads, shoulder grading, slope stabilization, cutting of existing cut
slopes, inlet and endwall cleaning, reshaping and cleaning drainage ditches and
swales, pipe cleaning, pipe replacement, support activities incidental to
resurfacing activities such as minor vertical adjustment to meet grade of
resurfaced area, and other similar activities.
b) When applying an overlay (any type) to a roadway surface (any type) the term
minor vertical adjustment is intended to capture those situations where the
depth of placement is from 2 to 6 inches ±. This accounts for a base/binder
course and or a wearing course. The activity in question is the placement of the
shoulder backup material at a slope that promotes positive drainage away from
the roadway and eliminates an unsafe drop-off condition. Provided the shoulder
backup material does not expand the width of the existing cross section of the
roadway and the slope of the shoulder does not cause an unsafe condition the
vertical adjustment would be considered minor. There is no minimum or
maximum, it is based upon the cross section NOT being expanded (width).
c) The roadway cross-section is not defined in the current Chapter 102 regulations,
but will be interpreted as: the existing road cross-section consists of the original
graded area between the existing toe of fill slopes and top of cut slopes on either
side of the road and any associated drainage features. Filling the road profile
that is entrenched qualifies as long as it is within the road cross-section.
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d) Earth disturbance activities are defined as: A construction or other human
activity which disturbs the surface of the land, including but not limited to,
clearing and grubbing, grading, excavations, embankments, land development,
agricultural plowing or tilling, timber harvesting activities, road maintenance
activities, mineral extraction, and the moving, depositing, stockpiling, or storing
of soil, rock or earth materials.
e) Milling asphalt is not an earth disturbance activity UNLESS it is full depth milling
into the sub-base. Full depth milling can be a maintenance activity. Stockpiling
milled material in a windrow or windrows along the roadway is an earth
disturbance activity and the footprint of the material should be calculated and
added to the total earth disturbance quantities for permit threshold comparison.
It is important to note that road maintenance activities, within the existing road cross-section,
are exempt from DEP regulations. Activities such as paving (concrete or bituminous), concrete
patching and tar and chip are construction activities; however they are not earth disturbance
activities. Placing shoulder backup material is contained within the definition of earth
disturbance activities and includes the moving, depositing, stockpiling, or storing of soil, rock or
earth materials.
Road maintenance activities are not limited to “dirt” roads. All roads require some type of
maintenance and the type of surface cover is not relevant other than to determine if its
placement is an earth disturbance or a construction activity.
1. Persons conducting road maintenance activities with greater than 5,000 square feet of
earth disturbance, but less than 25 acres of earth disturbance over the life of the project
are required to prepare, have on-site and implement a written E&S Plan, which has
been developed in accordance with Chapter 102 rules and regulations. The regulations
contained within Chapter 102 do not require preapproval of the E&S plan by either the
DEP or delegated County Conservation District UNLESS the E&S Plan approval is required
by another Chapter, such as 105. A county conservation district or regional DEP
representative, upon complaint or investigation, may request the E&S Plan be submitted
for review and approval to ensure compliance with Chapter 102. There should be a
reason for this request.
If upon investigation it is determined that the activity or scope of work is not
road maintenance but is instead an NPDES construction activity, the property
owner and the contractor will be notified immediately that an NPDES permit is
required and that construction activity MUST cease until the appropriate
authorization is obtained. Road maintenance activities can continue on-site and
it is the responsibility of the owner and the contractor to ensure that only road
maintenance activities are being performed.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
If after construction is completed it is determined that a permit should have
been obtained for a project, the Regional DEP staff should determine if there are
any stormwater requirements that need to be addressed. After-the-fact E&S
Control or NPDES Permits are not required.
Road maintenance activities are NOT exempt from Chapter 102 or NPDES
requirements, regardless of who the applicant is. (i.e., road maintenance
activities CANNOT be authorized by the Erosion and Sediment Control General
Permit No.1 (ESCGP-1) for Oil and Gas activities).
2. Persons conducting road maintenance activities, with 25 acres or more of earth
disturbance over the life of the project, are required to obtain an Erosion and Sediment
Control Permit, developed in accordance with Chapter 102 rules and regulations.
Earth disturbance activities that extend outside of, or expand the width of the existing road
cross-section are not considered maintenance activities and are subject to the permitting
requirements of Chapter 102/NPDES, and the acreage thresholds apply. The existing road
cross-section consists of the original graded area between the existing toe of fill slopes and top
of cut slopes on either side of the road and any associated drainage features. Currently one (1)
acre or greater with a point source and less than five (5) acres, or five (5) or more acres of earth
disturbance require a permit. The proposed revisions to the Chapter 102 regulations, if
approved, will revise the permitting threshold to one (1) acre or more of earth disturbance.
If an activity located or conducted upon a public roadway rises to the level that
the activity creates a need for “excess” maintenance, which may or may not rise
to the level of an NPDES permit; the responsible party should be the permittee
of any required Erosion and Sediment Control Permit or the permittee for an
NPDES permit. The contractor and the owner should both be listed as copermittee on the NPDES permit.
Increasing the height/profile of a road does not automatically indicate that the activity is not
road maintenance. For example: A contractor places 18 inches of DSA on the road surface
after grading (road maintenance activity). The placement of DSA is NOT an earth disturbance
activity but is a construction activity. The contractor will have to place shoulder back up
material beginning at the edge of pavement 18 inches high and taper (at some pre-determined
slope) to the existing cross section to promote positive drainage and eliminate the “drop off”,
which is/can be a safety issue. Placement of the backup material is an earth disturbance
activity; however, since it would be placed incidental to the placement of the DSA and
according to policy and the expanded definition of Road Maintenance Activities the activity
would be considered maintenance as long as the road cross-section was not widened. The
existing road cross-section consists of the original graded area between the existing toe of fill
slopes and top of cut slopes on either side of the road and any associated drainage features.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
The placement of the backup material is an earth disturbance activity and should
be calculated accordingly (L x W). The total area of disturbance is applied to the
appropriate threshold for either maintenance (E&S Sediment Control Permit) or
construction activities (NPDES Permit).
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
Note: Although this information was developed to provide Chapter 92 and 102 guidance
relating to roadway issues indirectly from Marcellus Shale gas exploration and development
activities, it is applicable statewide and for all roadway maintenance projects.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
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6. Pipelines
The development of oil and gas resources will require the construction pipelines and
compressors for delivering the product to market. It is anticipated that most pipeline gathering
systems will be built alongside the road system eventually connecting to larger marketing or
transmission pipelines in the area.
Requests to locate a pipeline on State Forest lands by an entity other than the subsurface
owner or lessee requires a License for Right-of-Way. The Bureau has developed a formal
process to administer such requests. Right-of-way requests that meet any of the following
thresholds will be administered by Central Office in cooperation with the affected State Forest
District:
The project is under the jurisdiction of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) or
the Pennsylvania Utilities Commission (PUC).
The project meets the criteria for a ‘large project’ as established by the PNDI review.
Projects that cross BOF management boundaries (i.e. forest districts)
Other right-of-way requests as determined by the District Forester or Central Office
Note: All other right-of-way requests will be administered by the local State Forest
district.
Best Management Practices:
a. New pipelines should be combined with existing or proposed roads and certain trails;
cross country pipeline corridors should be avoided.
b. Logging crews must be trained under the Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
c. Combine uses such as electric, water, and gas when possible.
d. Coordination between operators to share infrastructure and limit disturbance and
unnecessary capital expenditures is greatly encouraged.
e. Pipeline stream crossings should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, as some options
may require more disturbances than others. Below are options for crossings and a little
information about each:
Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD): minimizes disturbance in sensitive areas and
waterbodies; requires weeks for construction period, requires staging areas of 250 ft
by 250 ft on each side of the stream; requires flat staging area; risk of surface breach
(aka “frac out”)
Subsurface Boring: minimizes disturbance in sensitive areas and waterbodies;
requires a week for construction period; requires bore pit/disturbance area; risk of
creating under-drain below stream
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
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Open Cut / Dry Waterbody Crossing: riparian zone disturbed during crossing;
continuous flow maintained via flume pipe, existing damages to riparian zone
revegetated/repaired; requires little soil excavation
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Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
7. Compressor Stations
Compressor stations are commonly used in association with gas production and pipelines. Gas
well pressures and volumes steadily decline over the life of production . Similarly, gas moving
through steel pipelines creates friction and pressure is lost. Compression reduces the volume
of the gas and provides the necessary pressure to move gas from one location to another.
During production, compressors are used to draw gas from the well bore as production
volumes decrease and discharge it at higher pressure through the gathering pipeline.
Secondary compression may be necessary, depending on the length of the gathering line, to
increase pressure as the gas enters larger marketing or transmission lines. Compressor stations
utilize turbines, motors, or engines powered by electricity, diesel fuel or natural gas to
compress the gas and increase pressure.
The footprint of a compressor station is variable. Compressors are specifically engineered for
the situation at hand. Numerous compressors are often required at a site to generate the
desired level of compression. These sites may also include gas related infrastructure such as
separators which capture undesirable particles, or liquids which may condense out of the gas
stream as it flows through the pipeline. This function maintains integrity and extends the life of
the pipeline system. Compressors are generally housed within a structure and under roof.
Chemicals necessary to aid production during cold temperatures are stored on site.
There are currently two strategies for providing the compression necessary for successful gas
production:
Distributed: The compressors are co-located on the established well pad and service all
the producing wells within that pad. Compressors are smaller, produce less horsepower
and are more numerous than those associated with centralized compression. The
configuration is dynamic and compression is moved and adjusted as necessary.
Centralized: The compression is strategically located within the development field to
service gas produced from multiple well pads and dozens of individual wells.
Centralized compression often requires several, large units which produce considerable
horsepower. These facilities typically require the development of an additional pad site
to accommodate the necessary infrastructure.
Because of the size of the land base, State Forests provide a unique opportunity for dispersed
low-density outdoor recreation that cannot be obtained from small forest areas or from private
ownership. The undeveloped character of State Forests offers peace, solitude and a feeling of
remoteness for many users. Ambient noise can dramatically affect a user’s recreational
experience and generate conflict. Most sources of potential noise conflicts on State Forest land
are temporary in nature; however, compressor stations produce continuous noise. Compressor
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stations are predominately incompatible with State Forest resources, uses and values; and as
such, should be sited off of State Forest lands wherever possible. The Bureau's objective is to
maintain and perpetuate a visitor’s anticipated recreational experience on State Forest lands.
The Bureau of Forestry has received substantial input from stakeholders regarding
compressor stations on State Forest land. Compression is necessary and vital to the
development of natural gas resources but it also has the potential to significantly alter or
disrupt the character of the State Forest. In recognition of this fact, the Bureau has actively
engaged experts from various disciplines to assist in the development of guidance that meets
our goals and objectives and is realistic and attainable from a construction standpoint. The
following guidance and BMP’s should be adhered to until refined.
Best Management Practices: When no suitable alternatives exist and a compressor station
must be sited on State Forest lands, consider the following:
a) Compressor stations are inconsistent with primitive and semi-primitive nonmotorized Recreational Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) classes and should not be
located in primitive or semi-primitive, non-motorized zones.
b) Cluster with existing infrastructure and development, limiting the size of the
footprint to what is necessary.
c) Required setback distances from ecological, recreational or other important
resources should be enforced.
d) Siting location on the landscape can dramatically affect the distance sound
travels. Ridge tops and open areas exacerbate sound levels and should be
avoided when siting.
e) Vegetative screening, such as evergreen plantings, helps to minimize the visual
and noise impacts associated with the compressor infrastructure.
Requirements for Compressor Stations:
1. Compressor stations may not be located within semi primitive non-motorized or
primitive ROS zones.
2. The operator must quantify the existing ambient noise level at the proposed location by
establishing the equivalent sound level (Leq) for a consecutive seven day period during
“leaf off” conditions.
a. The Leq will be measured a point 300 feet from the proposed location of the
compressor during project planning stages.
b. The operating noise level of the compressor shall not increase by more than 10%
of the established median Leq. The operator will be required to utilize available
technologies and sound mitigation strategies to assure compliance with this
standard
3. The operator will establish vegetative screening around the perimeter of the
construction footprint at the direction of the Forest District Manager.
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4. Approved colors for the facades of all buildings include: forest green, brown, gray, black
or natural stain.
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8. Vegetation Management
Logging and supplemental planting is a common practice on State Forest lands. To maintain
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, State Forest managers implement BMP’s to
remain consistent with FSC’s principles of sustainable forestry. These BMP’s include
revegetating a log landing after harvest, erosion and sedimentation control, forage and cover
habitat in wildlife openings and restoration in gas development areas.
On-site crew leaders for all logging crews working on State Forest land must be trained under
the Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Information relating to this training may
be found on the internet at www.sfiofpa.org. Each crew leader operating on the site must
present a valid PA SFI Core Level Training card as proof of training to the Forest District
Manager prior to beginning logging operations. Comparable training from other states may be
accepted in lieu of Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative training.
The Bureau of Forestry prefers the use of native species in supplemental plantings whenever
possible. Native species are especially appropriate in areas that support populations of species
of concern, contain wetlands, or are ecologically significant. However, native species do not
always fully support the revegetation needs. Therefore, the use of non-native species may then
be preferred or justified in certain situations but may need to be monitored depending on the
non-native species planted. To ensure ecologically-sound use of non-native plants, refer to the
Planting and Seeding Guidelines (Appendix 3) for detailed seed mixes and planting
specifications.
Best Management Practices:
a) On-site crew leaders for logging operations must be trained under the
Pennsylvania SFI.
b) Native grass and herb mixes for cover and stabilization should be used within the
disturbed construction areas when possible.
c) The seed mix should provide for immediate stabilization and reduce the chance
of invasive plant species establishment.
d) A cover crop may be applied at the same time as the requested grass and/or
herbaceous seed mix, such as either oats or barley if the seeding takes place in
the spring or wheat or rye if the seeding takes place in the fall.
e) Species with rare, threatened or endangered status (PNHP species of concern)
are generally not planted unless the BOF has developed a recovery plan for that
species.
f) Native plant (including tree and shrub) species with no special status (PNHP
species of concern) may be planted. Pennsylvania stock is preferred, cultivars
should generally be avoided and species planted should be in their natural
geographic range.
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9. Invasive Plants
Gas development activities can temporarily or permanently disturb plants, wildlife and
introduce invasive exotic plant species. Prior to construction, the State Forest District,
Ecological Services Section and the operator should develop plans for managing invasive plant
species and interim and permanent site revegetation and restoration.
State Forest Districts have the authority for approving and administering site restoration
practices on all sites and for the prevention of establishment, monitoring and eradication of
potential invasive plants in areas disturbed by oil and gas development.
Please refer to Appendix 4 for specific guidelines regarding Invasive Plant Management.
Best Management Practices:
a) A pre-construction inventory should be performed within the anticipated areas
of disturbance to determine the appropriate prevention methods, predict
control needs and assess its level of responsibility for management.
b) Soil disturbance should be minimized to decrease introduction. Consider colocation within previously disturbed areas and/or alternative construction
methods.
c) The operator should clean equipment in an appropriate manner prior to bringing
equipment into un-invaded areas or ecologically sensitive areas.
d) It is recommended that the operator use weed-free seed, soil, gravel, and mulch.
Failure to use of weed-free material increases the potential to introduce invasive
plant species and requires stringent monitoring.
e) Pre-treat invasive plant species infestations that reproduce prolifically from
rhizome/root segments prior to disturbance. Pre-treatment may limit the
spread of the invasive plant infestations upon completion of disturbance
activities.
f) Disturbed areas should be surveyed annually at the appropriate time of year to
detect early infestations.
g) Management and control of post-disturbance infestations of invasive plant
populations should be species specific. In some situations, it may be best to wait
another growing season to assess the spread before moving forward with
management techniques.
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10. Restoration
After construction and drilling activities have concluded, restoration practices can proceed.
Before implementing management actions, clear objectives for site restoration should be
formulated based on an assessment of the site’s quality, soil function, community type, natural
features, and plant and wildlife species. These assessments will also be made with
consideration to surrounding habitats and community types and the larger landscape (please
refer to Appendix 5: Ecological Restoration Guidelines). Ecological restoration on State Forest
land should aim to ensure long-term ecosystem sustainability is functioning.
Interim reclamation may be carried out on sites where gas activity may return to the pad or
pipeline. Interim reclamation consists of minimizing the footprint of disturbance by reclaiming
all portions of the well site not needed for immediate production operations. Interim
reclamation includes, but is not limited to:
re-contouring portions of the cleared well site
spreading topsoil evenly and re-vegetating using a predominately native seed mix
reducing the amount of edge on a site
enhancing wildlife habitat (e.g., creating brush piles and rock piling around edges to
encourage basking areas for rattlesnakes and other reptiles)
planning development in a manner whereby existing sites are utilized for multiple
purposes instead of creating new disturbances.
Final restoration will begin when the site is inactive and will not be accessed for drilling again in
the short-term. Due to the differences in drilling practices, the uncertainty of future
development needs, and the use of existing well pad sites as staging areas, there is not a
definitive restoration schedule. The District will work closely with the operator to plan
restoration activities as early as possible to aid in restoration planning. There are several
choices when it comes to restoration on State Forest lands. The site may be best suited to:
revert back to what it was originally
fill a lacking habitat/species
provide additional food sources for wildlife
enhance special habitats
Best Management Practices
General
The first thing to consider in developing a restoration plan is the long-term desired condition
for the landscape and site. Before implementing management actions, district personnel and
Ecological Services should create clear long-term objectives for the landscape (please refer to
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Appendix 5: Ecological Restoration Guidelines). These objectives and options for reclamation
should consider the following:
a) Conduct pre-project monitoring as needed. Often it is useful to obtain baseline
measurements on such parameters as wildlife and plants using the site, soil
quality, water quality and any other information that may be pertinent during
restoration. This information is especially important if the site is different or
unique from the surrounding landscape.
b) Identify physical site conditions in need of repair following disturbance. Many
ecosystems in need of restoration are dysfunctional on account of damage to the
physical environment, such as soil compaction, soil erosion or surface water
diversion.
c) Identify the need and level of restoration. It may be important to describe the
improvements that are anticipated following restoration.
d) Identify restoration goals. Goals are the ideal states and conditions that an
ecological restoration effort attempts to achieve. Written expressions of goals
provide the basis for all restoration activities, and later they become the basis for
project evaluation.
e) Identify resource needs, sources, and considerations. Prior to restoration it will
be important to consider what biotic resources (i.e. seeds, other plant
propagules, etc.) will be needed for establishment at the project site with the
restoration goals taken into consideration.
f) Perform monitoring as required to document the attainment of project goals and
objectives
g) Conduct an ecological evaluation of the newly completed project if possible. The
evaluation should compare the restored ecosystem to its condition prior to the
initiation of restoration activities. The evaluation should determine whether or
not the ecological goals were met, including the ecological attributes of restored
ecosystems. A final report may be a good way to document successful
restoration of a site.
Interim: Interim reclamation consists of minimizing the footprint of disturbance by reclaiming
all portions of the well site not needed for production operations.
a) The portions of the cleared well site not needed for operational or safety
purposes should be recontoured to a final or intermediate contour that blends
with the surrounding original topography as much as possible.
b) Low compaction grading techniques should be used to minimize compacting soils
when spreading topsoil. Topsoil should be spread over areas not needed for
operations. When practical, the operator should respread topsoil over the entire
location and revegetate to within a few feet of the production facilities, unless
an all-weather, surfaced, access route or turnaround is needed.
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c) Any topsoil not respread should remain stock piled and vegetated to prevent it
from eroding and to help maintain its biological viability.
d) Habitat fragmentation increases the amount of edge, which can negatively
impact certain species. If a site is not being fully utilized it might be beneficial to
feather the edges of the sites. Feathered edges gradually blend the opening into
the adjacent forest. Feathered edges can be created through a variety of
techniques including adding several rows of shrubs leading into the forest.
e) Existing sites not being used could be utilized for storage, staging area or some
other use that would eliminate the development of another pad site.
Final: Final restoration can begin once all activity on the site is complete.
a) The site should be recontoured to its original state and blend with the
surrounding topography as much as possible.
b) Low compaction grading techniques should be used during final grading to
minimize compacting soils. Final grading that leaves a loose soil and a rough
surface increases survival of seeds, planted seedlings and forest productivity.
Follow Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) recommendations.
c) The stockpiled topsoil should be re-spread over the entire site and re-seeded
using a mix compatible with the Bureau of Forestry’s Planting Guidelines
(Appendix 3).
d) A suitable rooting medium (no less than 4 ft deep) should be created for good
tree growth.
e) Tree-compatible ground covers should be established for future tree growth, if
this is a final restoration goal.
f) In recontouring areas that have been surfaced with gravel or similar materials,
the material should be removed and discarded, re-used at on other pad sites as
approved by the BOF, or buried deep in the recontoured cut to prevent possible
surface exposure.
g) At least two types of trees should be planted on sites where forest restoration is
the final goal. Early-successional species for wildlife and soil stability, and
commercially valuable crop trees should be planted using proper tree planting
techniques and protecting against deer damage where necessary. It is important
to select suitable and appropriate tree species. Please refer to the Bureau of
Forestry’s Planting Guidelines (Appendix 3) for specific species.
h) For permanent forest openings it is important to consider the surrounding
landscape (Please refer to Appendix 5: Ecological Restoration Guidelines).
i) Permanent forest openings should be at least 50’ wide, or if possible, about 100’
wide to provide nearby escape cover and create an even amount of shaded and
sunlit areas.
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Habitat Enhancement: Development from gas related activities may provide opportunities for
habitat enhancement. Please refer to Appendix 5: Ecological Restoration Guidelines for more
information.
a) If possible, rocks and stumps should be piled along the north or northeast edge
of the clearing to maximize solar gain, benefiting basking reptiles. Also, if large,
flat boulders are present, they should be placed flat (on the horizontal axis) with
a cavity beneath them, whenever possible.
b) Artificial nest structures, such as platforms, and nest boxes are commonly used
to provide habitat for raptors and other birds. These structures could be
constructed during interim or final phases, if the appropriate site is available.
c) The woody limbs and stumps from the trees removed to create the site openings
could be used to create brush piles. Brush piles are most beneficial to wildlife
when they are located at the edges of forest openings.
j) Depending on the restoration goals of the site, woody debris (not being used to
create brush piles) should be distributed evenly on the well site to aid in soil
restoration and enhance wildlife habitat.
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11. Recreation
Due to the large, contiguous land area available to outdoor recreationists, State Forest lands
provide a unique opportunity for dispersed low-density outdoor recreation that typically may
not be attainable on small forested areas or private lands. The Bureau encourages low-density
dispersed recreation and strives to promote and provide for these types of activities.
Recreational opportunities on State Forest lands are focused on compatibility with the forest
ecosystem or forms of recreation not represented by other land uses.
Today there are many State Forest users whose activities and views sometimes conflict. Some
State Forest visitors prefer more traditional non-motorized forms of recreation, such as sightseeing, hiking, hunting, fishing, horse-back riding, and cross-country skiing; while others utilize
the same area for motorized and less traditional recreational activities, such as riding ATVs,
snowmobiles, mountain bikes, hang gliders, and dog sleds. Natural gas activities can
dramatically increase the potential for adverse impacts and conflict through: increased traffic
volumes; elevated noise levels; and aesthetic impacts. Any potential impact is directly
dependent upon a visitor’s activity, anticipated recreational experience and location within the
State Forest.
To minimize conflicting impacts to these diverse recreation activities, the Bureau of Forestry
will follow ecosystem and multiple-resource management practices for all gas-related activities.
The following policies and considerations are intended to minimize potential conflicts or
adverse impacts to State Forest recreational activities:
Leases, mineral development and new rights-of-way will be prohibited on
designated State Forest Wild and Natural Areas, provided that subsurface oil and
gas rights may be leased where no surface use or disturbance will occur. Rightsof-Way expansion will be considered on an individual basis and only when the
activity will not harm the feature for which the area was designated and is
justified as the alternative that will result in the least overall ecological damage
to State Forest lands. The Bureau of Forestry has designated 61 State Forest
Natural Areas and 14 State Forest Wild Areas which account for 11% of State
Forest lands. Other areas excluded from surface activity include State Parks in
which the Commonwealth owns the subsurface rights.
Recent lease offerings established Areas of Special Consideration which includes
important viewsheds and vistas. Surface disturbance within these areas is
extremely limited and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Aesthetic buffers are established to avoid or minimize potential impacts to
recreational resources, uses or values. Waivers will be considered on a case-bycase basis. In some instances, placing infrastructure in buffer zones along roads
results in less surface disturbance and overall reduced environmental impact.
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Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
Operators are expected to fully consider aesthetic and wild character impacts in
their waiver proposals. (See section F: Setbacks).
Gas activities will be restricted within Primitive and Semi-Primitive NonMotorized zones as identified through the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum
(ROS) inventory and planning tool.
Best Management Practices:
The safety of the public and gas operators is paramount. Consider temporary
closures of roads or trails where conflict is inevitable and no reasonable
compromise exists.
Gas operators will provide necessary security, safety, and signage measures (as
approved by the Department) during operations at no cost to the Department.
The gas operator must notify the Department in writing when work is expected
to begin in the area and the anticipated operational period. The operator will
provide notices of temporary closures to the Department who will notify the
umbrella user groups, other impacted Lessees, rights-of-way interests and local
media.
Consider the full extent of recreational activities and the seasons in which they
occur when planning gas exploration or development.
Avoid areas of concentrated recreational activity and developed recreational
sites when locating gas related infrastructure.
Provide alternative trail routes when substantial gas activity is occurring in the
immediate vicinity. Temporary re-routes will allow recreational enthusiasts to
avoid gas development during the peak of activity when the greatest potential
for conflict exists. Those portions of the original trail can be re-opened once the
well pad is completely developed.
Co-locate recreational trails within rights-of-way corridors where appropriate.
Gas operators are encouraged to utilize existing disturbances, such as road
networks, when siting infrastructure. Many portions of the snowmobile trail
system are located on joint-use roads which may be plowed to provide for safe
vehicular passage. Relocating portions of these snowmobile trails onto rights-ofway corridors allows both activities to occur with minimal impact to the other
user. (See BMP’s for roads)
Oil and gas operators will provide a minimum of 10 days notice to the Forest
District Manager when flaring activities are anticipated in proximity to
designated Dark Sky Areas around Cherry Springs State Park. The Forest District
Manager should encourage the operator to modify the flaring activity when it
directly conflicts with special events planned on the State Forest or State Park
lands within the designated Dark Sky Area. Whenever feasible, the operator
should secure functional pipeline rights-of-ways prior to gas production so that
unnecessary flaring is avoided.
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
During the following holidays and high visitor use periods there should be no
heavy hauling (i.e., rig moves, water trucking, frac equipment) or seismic activity.
Any deviations from these guidelines will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis
and require a waiver. The District should provide gas operators with a list of
high conflict dates on an annual basis to aid in the planning and scheduling of
activities.
Holidays:
Memorial Day weekend
Fourth of July holiday or weekend
Labor Day weekend
Hunting & Fishing Seasons: refer to the PA Game Commission and PA Fish and Boat
Commission for season dates
Opening weekend of trout season
Opening weekend of youth spring gobbler season
Opening weekend of spring gobbler season
Regular bear season
First three days and both Saturdays of regular firearms deer season
Other Activities:
The following activities may have hauling and seismic restrictions, but will be
determined by the District if restrictions are necessary for these activities.
Special activities and events on State Forest land or adjacent State Park
Opening day of deer archery season
Opening day of youth/special use hunting
Opening day of early muzzleloader
Opening day of general small game
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Guidelines for Administering Oil and Gas Activity on State Forest
H. Guidelines: Review and Approval Process
This section refers to the review and approval of the following gas-related activities on SF lands:
well pads, staging areas, impoundments, pipelines, compressor stations, access roads, water
withdrawals and infrastructure and seismic activities.
There are two types of review and approval processes for gas development activities in BOF.
Surface land review is performed in cooperation with the District, Ecological Services, Planning,
Marcellus/Minerals and Recreation. The surface land review strives to appropriately site gas
activities in a manner to minimize fragmentation and impacts to State Forest resources, uses
and values. The second review type is the Bottomhole review performed by Marcellus and
Minerals Sections. This review evaluates if the well site is geologically sound and in compliance
with the lease terms; specifically regarding required setbacks and/or well-spacing.
Tracts under lease are required to provide ninety (90) days advance notice to Forest District
Managers before conducting operations that will affect forest growth. In addition, the Lessee is
required to obtain written final approval before any construction activity will be allowed to
commence. Activities and operators that don’t fall under a lease are encouraged to submit
their notice as early in the planning process as discussed below.
Development Plan Review:
Companies are requested to provide tract-level development plans to the BOF to
incorporate landscape-level planning efforts, evaluate cumulative impacts, facilitate office
reviews and enable pre-planning for any necessary field reviews.
Development plans should include all gas-related activities—pad sites, access roads,
pipelines, compressors, seismic activity, water withdrawal sites, and water lines. Plans will
be circulated for review and comment by the District, Ecological Services, Planning,
Marcellus/Minerals and Recreation Sections. After review, the Bureau will consult with the
operator as necessary to discuss areas of concern within the plan which may include
participation in field reviews. Bureau review and comment regarding the development plan
does not constitute clearance to begin construction of the gas activities found in the plan.
Site Specific Review And Approval Process:
A. Submissions: At a minimum, the operator should submit the following to the
BOF for review purposes:
Map delineating the planned activity in hardcopy along with ESRI ArcGIS
compatible shape files
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Narrative description of the project to include the type of activity being
performed, timing and areas impacted
Any available correspondence or documentation related to PNDI, PHMC or
ecological surveys
Waiver requests and justifications as applicable
B. Preliminary Review: The Preliminary Review is comprised of the following tasks
and completed by the Forest District in consultation with the Ecological Services
Section as necessary.
1. Desktop Review: A desktop review is performed by the Forest District
prior to a field visit with the operator. This review determines if the gas
activity locations are compliant with required setback distances from
resources (i.e. wetlands, streams, T&E species habitat buffers,
recreational ammenities), and is appropriate and conducive to State
Forest operations. The following must be performed or considered prior
to any field views:
Non-development areas as specified on lease tract maps
Areas of special concern as specified on lease tract maps
PNDI review of rare, threatened and endangered plants, animals,
communities and invertebrates
Designation of existing waterways and water bodies
Wetland mapping and wetland delineation reports (as available)
Cultural resources as identified by PHMC
Recreational trails, trailheads, high-use areas and ROS zones
Viewsheds, vistas and aesthetics
Landscape plans (review landscape narrative and inventory info)
Timber harvest plans
Soil surveys
Note: Projects involving water withdrawal requests should also be
forwarded to Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey for
sustainability review.
2. Field Review: Following the desktop review, a field review may be
necessary to discuss location details with the operator and to investigate
and substantiate those resources which may be impacted by the activity.
The field review is comprised of the items below and will be performed
by District staff with assistance from Ecological Services Section when
their expertise is needed.
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The following should be assessed during the field review:
Non-development areas as specified on lease tract maps
Areas of special concern as specified on lease tract maps
Wetlands, vernal pools and spring seeps
Cultural resources
Rare, threatened and endangered habitats and species
Plant and animal habitat characteristics such as: scree
slopes/talus/boulder fields; caves; herbaceous openings in highquality forage; sunny rock outcroppings; and cliffs
Presence of invasive plant species
Exposed limestone or shale
Stands of at least 100 trees with diameter at breast height > 30 inches
Current or potential timber value
Other unique or ecologically significant features
Recreational and aesthetic resources
Note: Field reviews should be conducted during the appropriate time of
year taking into account the survey season for the target species
or resource. These reviews should not occur if there are two or
more inches of snow cover. The time of year for the field reviews
will be set before the commencement of the project to allow the
operator the opportunity to revise its plans for the project, if
necessary.
3. Preliminary Review Response: After the desktop review and necessary
field reviews, the District will provide the company with one of three
responses:
a. Yes, the site is acceptable. The operator will continue with their
procedures to obtain all permits and required approvals.
b. Maybe, with further review. The operator may continue with the site
approval process; however, further review, analysis or site surveys
need to be performed either by BOF staff or the operator/consultant
before preliminary approval can be granted. If waivers are required,
the waiver review process should begin at this time. Please reference
the waiver process.
c. No, with alternatives. The site is inappropriate -justification and
alternatives will be presented to the operator.
Note: Preliminary approval by the District does not provide clearance or
final site approval in reference to threatened and endangered
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species and resource reviews. Construction activities will not
begin until necessary permits have been secured, required
setbacks are satisfied and final approval has been given. Field and
species survey reports should be submitted to the Ecological
Services Section and the District for review and approval prior to
final approval.
C. Final Approval Request: The operator submits formal request to the Marcellus
Program or Minerals Section. Marcellus/Minerals will confirm that all approvals,
permits and review requirements have been secured for the proposed activity.
Marcellus /Minerals will circulate a formal request to the District and Ecological
Services Section for final approval.
D. Bottomhole Review and Approval Process: Marcellus/Minerals staff performs a
technical review of each well request consisting of geotechnical considerations,
well spacing, property line setbacks and technical compliance with any lease or
agreement. Any deficiencies will be discussed and alleviated with the operator
prior to approval. Marcellus/Minerals will submit approval directly to operator.
Note: The Bureau of Forestry will make every reasonable attempt to grant well
site approval within 30 days of receiving the final request. The 30 day
time frame does not accommodate possible PNDI reviews and surveys
conducted by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Fish and
Boat Commission, US Fish and Wildlife Service and the DCNR Wild Plant
Program.
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I. Gas Program Waiver Requests
Operators may submit waiver requests for certain conditions specified in the lease or guidelines
when it is apparent that the deviation from those conditions will provide greater protection to
State Forest resources, uses or values than adhering those specified conditions. Any deviation
from conditions specified in any of the leases, agreements or guidelines requires an approved
waiver.
Requests must be justified and submitted in writing to the State Forester for review and
approval. The Bureau of Forestry’s intent is to not grant blanket approval for waivers, but to
review the waiver requests on a case-by-case basis. The Bureau of Forestry considers granting
waivers when the waiver provides greater protection for environmental or social values and is
determined to be in the best interest of the Commonwealth.
Waiver Process
1. District or Marcellus/Minerals Section Receives Request
The operator submits a waiver request to deviate from conditions specified above to the
District or the Marcellus/Minerals Section.
The operator will identify the need for the deviation and provide justification for the
request to the District or Marcellus/Minerals. Waiver request should be submitted in
writing and include:
a) Identification of the specific condition for which a waiver is sought
b) Description of the proposed deviation
c) Justification of the need to deviate from the identified condition
d) Identification of alternatives considered and investigated
e) Evidence that deviation will not cause detrimental impact to resource or
condition for which the waiver is requested
f) Any necessary mapping including GIS data where applicable
2. District Initial Review and Consultation
The District will begin review and consultation with the appropriate Central Office staff
as needed (Marcellus/Minerals, Ecological Services, Recreation, and Planning Sections).
Significant Encroachment: If the desktop review shows that resources or buffers may be
significantly impacted or altered and a waiver may be necessary, the District and
appropriate Sections should be alerted prior to submitting the waiver request to
Marcellus/Minerals for review.
3. District submits Waiver Request to Marcellus/Minerals
4. Marcellus/Minerals Coordinates Central Office Review
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Marcellus/Minerals will review the waiver request and justification and coordinate with
the operator to discuss any issues or concerns at this time. If the request is considered
un-satisfactory or insufficient, the operator will be apprised of those deficiencies and
asked to resubmit the request.
The Marcellus/Minerals programs will coordinate a 5-day Central Office review. It is
assumed that by this point, any issues would have been discussed or worked out prior
to the District submitting the final waiver request.
After review and consultation with appropriate Bureau staff, if it is determined that the
request is not in the best interest of the Commonwealth and does not provide greater
environmental protection, the waiver request may be denied before submitting for final
review by the State Forester.
Where the Bureau does not feel a waiver is in the best interest of the Commonwealth
and the operator disagrees and intends to move forward with the request, the dispute
resolution process would be used.
5. Waiver Request Submitted to State Forester for Review: After initial review and comments
are received from the necessary Bureau staff, the District or Marcellus/Minerals Sections will
provide the request and appropriate documentation to the State Forester (or their designee)
for review.
6. State Forester provides waiver Approval/Denial to Marcellus/Minerals Section: The State
Forester (or their designee) will review the waiver request and provide an approval or denial.
7. Minerals/Marcellus Section will notify Operator of Waiver Approval or Denial: The
Minerals/Marcellus Section will submit the approval or denial response to the operator.
Surface disturbance activities related to subsurface exploration or development is prohibited
within State Forest Wild and Natural Areas and State Parks where the Commonwealth owns the
subsurface rights. There is no provision for an operator to obtain a waiver of these restrictions.
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J. Guidelines for Conducting Routine Field Inspections
1. Forest District Managers will conduct weekly (if possible) inspections during any active
construction unless problems or weather conditions dictate otherwise. Inspection of
the final site restoration is imperative. Site inspections are considered a very high
priority for the District.
2. The Bureau of Forestry will strive to maintain its cooperative relationship with the DEP’s
Bureau of Oil and Gas Management (DEP-BOGM). State Forest District Offices should
coordinate field inspection activities with DEP-BOGM Regional Offices, where possible.
The District staff is not responsible for enforcing DEP regulations, state or federal laws
governing the impacts to the environment. Staff should observe, document and report
any activity which results in pollution or damage to the environment to the proper
authority. In addition, an up to date emergency contacts list shall be maintained by the
district and the Operator. An initial contact list may be found in Exhibit C of the Lease
and in Appendix 6.
3. Forest District Managers should become familiar with and follow DEP Oil and Gas
Management Program’s Safety Standard Operating Procedures when inspecting active
oil and gas operations. Forest District Managers have the power to perform site
inspections unannounced. The Forest District Manager should document any problems
with photos or video for later use in demonstrating the issue to the Operator, the
Subsurface Programs staff and the DEP staff. Routine inspections may be coordinated
with the Operator’s staff as a courtesy.
4. The following two pages will serve as a form for recording observations while
conducting field inspections. A separate form should be established and maintained for
each facility – i.e., well pad, new road segment construction, water impoundment,
compressor station, staging area and pipeline project. A copy of all field notes should be
attached and the files kept in perpetuity until the lease tract is returned to the
Commonwealth at the end of the extraction operations.
5. The inspection form addresses 33 items in four main subject areas:




Access and Safety
Permits and Information
Environmental Control
Property Protection
The first page of the form contains a check box for each of the 33 items. If unsatisfactory
conditions are observed, items should be marked with “X.” An explanation of the
condition and necessary corrective action(s) should be noted on page two. Additionally,
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specific items should be marked with “√” to indicate satisfactory completion of activities or
marked with “NA” to indicate this item is not applicable.
Note: Surveys for invasive plant species (Inspection Item Number 25) should be completed
one year after the commencement of earth disturbance activities.
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Bureau of Forestry
Oil and Gas Operations Field Inspection Form
Inspections should be conducted weekly (if possible) during active construction projects (roads,
pipelines, well pads, staging areas and compressor stations), unless problems or weather conditions
dictate otherwise. Enter information for each inspection.
Name of Operator:
Tract Number:
Facility ID:______________________ Latitude:_____________ Longitude:_______________
District: ___________________ County: ________________ Township: _______________
Inspect each item listed below. Mark “√” if satisfactory, mark “X” if unsatisfactory and explain on the back
of this form—or mark “NA” if activities completed and site restoration approved.
Access and
Safety
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Dates Inspected:
Public-use roads safe for public travel
Access roads in good, passable condition
Gates appropriately opened or closed
Dangerous equipment posted or fenced
Dangerous areas posted or fenced
Other potential safety hazards
Permits and
Information
Inspected by (initials):
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
DEP Well Permit / Well ID posted on site
ESCGP-1 Permit posted on site
E & S Control Plan posted on site
PPC Plan posted on site
Consumptive Water Use Permit posted
MSDS Sheets available on site
Emergency contact information posted
Other
Environmental Control
Date earth disturbance or
construction activities
began:
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
Public-use road drainage / E & S conditions
Access road drainage / E & S conditions
Well-pad conditions
Water storage conditions (tanks or ponds)
Pipeline ROW conditions
Logging and/or skidding operations
Water conditions (streams)
Other erosion & sedimentation problems
Noticeable wildlife habitat impacts
Noticeable vegetative impacts
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Property
Protection
25. Noticeable invasive plant infestation
26. Indication of leak or spill (pad, road, etc.)
27. Other environmental impacts
Date
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
Damage to forest growth
Damage to infrastructure
Artifacts protected if discovered
Fire protection
Sanitation of site(s)
Other damages or problems
Provide explanation:
Item
 Description of unsatisfactory conditions and corrective action taken
Number


Work completed and site restoration satisfactory
Survey for invasive plants species conducted and actions needed
Other comments:
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K. Guidelines for Emergency and Pollution Incidents
Oil and gas operators are expected to maintain the highest level of safety and environmental
standards while operating on State Forest lands. However, the Bureau must be prepared to
respond to emergency and/or pollution incidents that may occur. Bureau staff will function
primarily in a support role for the operator or agencies with jurisdictional authority.
Management of Medical Emergencies:
In the event that district staff is called out to a medical emergency at a construction site, it is
imperative that the staff have access to the local emergency phone listings to summon
emergency services to the construction site in the shortest time possible. As each county and
municipality has its own 911 system and requirements for registering the well pad sites as
addresses for 911 purposes, it is beyond the scope of the Guidelines document to try and list all
the possible contact information within all the gas districts. Therefore, each district should
have an up-to-date Emergency Action Plan, provide training to its staff in using the plan and
accessing the contact database, and provide the resources necessary to respond to an
emergency in an effective manner. A copy of the district Emergency Action Plan should be kept
in all vehicles for quick reference for Bureau staff.
It is expected that the operator will assume the lead role in all medical emergencies at the drill
sites, construction sites and facility sites as it is likely the operator’s employees will be present
at the site of the emergency from its inception. DEP and OSHA require the operators to have
emergency plans on site and provide their employees with training for emergency situations. In
the case where Bureau staff may be present during a medical emergency, assistance should be
offered and the use of the district emergency phone contacts should be offered to the
operator’s employees if there is confusion regarding the local 911 system and how to summon
the necessary help.
In the event that a life flight response is necessary for the emergency, the district should take
the lead in directing the flight to the nearest safe landing zone and coordinating the route to
that zone by any emergency personnel at the site. Numerous life flight landing sites have been
identified in the districts and the locations should be part of the district Emergency Action Plan.
In the event that the incident involves a major fire (blow out event) at the rig or well site and
gas has been released and is burning, no Bureau staff should attempt to access the site and
assess the situation. Assessment should be carried out away from the site of the fire at a safe
distance. Gas well fires are unpredictable in their nature and may flare as the gas release
proceeds. The operator’s employees and the rig crew are well trained in blow out prevention
and management, so the district staff should take their lead from the rig crew and operator’s
staff. The district may assume a fire-control role to prevent the fire from spreading to the
surrounding forest, but the actual gas fire itself will be addressed by professional well fire
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fighters in cooperation with the rig crew and the operator. The district may be called upon to
lend resources to this effort, but will not likely be called to participate in controlling and
extinguishing the well fire.
Management of Environmental Pollution Events and Emergencies:
The expected large number of drill sites combined with the necessary road transport and
storage of fluids on a routine basis requires the Bureau staff to be alert at all times to the
possible accidental release of any substance being used and handled as part of the drilling and
completion activity.
In addition, while drilling of the shallow portion of any well proceeds, there exists the chance
that the high pressure air stream used as the drilling fluid to remove rock cuttings and
formation water, may enter fractures and joints in the near surface rocks encountered by the
well bore and exit at the surface in springs and seeps as turbid flow.
Finally, transport and handling of premixed drill mud and fracing chemicals to the pad sites also
involves some risk from accidental spillage or actual road collisions that may release liquids into
the environment. Along with the chemicals, large amounts of diesel fuel are stored on site and
carried in transport trucks fuel tanks.
The Minerals Section will act as the central point of contact for the Bureau Headquarters for
reporting and monitoring all environmental incidents on SF lands. All phone reports, written
reports and photos should be sent to the Minerals Section for accumulation and dissemination
to the Bureau Management and DCNR Management.
The following general procedures should be adhered to by the district staff upon being called
out on a suspected pollution event, a road collision involving gas supply trucking, or any other
event that may have the potential to release substances into local waterways, vernal pools,
wetlands, or onto the soil on State Forest lands:
1. If no imminent safety danger exists, access the site and confirm a pollution event has
occurred. If imminent safety concerns are present or an injury has occurred call 911 and
report the situation.
2. Call the DEP hotline for reporting pollution events at the nearest DEP office emergency
phone number listed below:
Meadville
Williamsport
Pittsburgh
Wilkes-Barre
800-373-3398
570-327-3636
412-442-4000
570-826-2511
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Harrisburg
Norristown
877-333-1904
484-250-5900
3. Call the well operator if the event is at a well site, or if the event is at facility owned by
the operator or is nearby the site of the operator’s activity. If you cannot identify the
operator, call all the nearby operators to report the event. The complete listing of the
emergency contact phone numbers for all Lessees on State Forest lands can be found in
Appendix 6.
4. Call the Subsurface Program and the Forest District Manager.
5. Call any other agencies that may need notification, such as the PA Fish and Boat
Commission, PEMA, Local Fire Department, local County Conservation offices, and
possibly the Susquehanna River Basin Commission Inspector. Contact information for
some of the above named agencies can be found in Appendix 6.
Note: At this point in the communication chain the operator and DEP will be using their
own call notification tree, so duplication on our part is not harmful to the
process. Additional DEP call numbers are also listed in Appendix 6.
6. Use the “Environmental Incident Report & Notification Form”, found at the end of this
section, to begin an incident report that may be used to document the incident from the
standpoint of the Bureau and its lands. The form is meant to provide an organized
means to record the incident in a logical and sober manner for possible later use in
unraveling the event.
7. Take ample photos of the site to document the visual impacts and transmit to the
Minerals Section when possible.
8. Locate the incident site on a topographic map and transmit to the Minerals Section.
9. Assuming the conditions at the site are safe, and the staff present have been trained in
sample acquisition protocol and have the proper sampling containers, take samples of
the substance at the pollution site, and along the route the pollution may be following
to a local stream. Sample the local stream at the point the pollution enters, also
upstream and downstream from the entry point. Each district will have the proper
coolers and instructions for submitting samples to DEP labs or private labs as needed.
10. Plan to monitor the situation on a daily basis and file reports with the Minerals Section
as the situation continues to unfold.
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11. Operators are required to provide Notices of Violations to the Bureau in a timely
manner.
Note: Collect copies of all reports issued by the operator or DEP and forward copies to
the Minerals Section.
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ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENT REPORT
AND
NOTIFICATION FORM
Date of Incident (or when first discovered/reported):__________________ , 20________
Approximate Time of Incident (or when first discovered):_______________ AM PM
Incident Involved:

gas drilling or well pad site

gas pipeline

timbering (ex. Fuel spill from truck)

vehicular accident (ex. Fuel spill)

other (describe)_______________________________________________
Suspected Responsible Party/Company: _______________________________________
LOCATION:
District Name:_________________ Township:_____________ County:______________
(closest) Road/Intersection Name: ____________________________________________
Closest surface water body if threatened by incident: _____________________________
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:
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Contacted Parties
911
(only if absolute emergency)
DEP Offices
Meadville
800-373-3398
Williamsport
570-327-3636
Pittsburgh
412-442-4000
Wilkes-Barre
570-826-2511
Harrisburg
877-333-1904
Norristown
484-250-5900
Suspected Responsible Party
PA Fish & Boat Commission
PEMA
800-424-7362
PA State/Local Police
(circle one)
Local Fire Department
Minerals Section
717-787-2703
Others
Date
Time
Name of Contact
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
Take good notes of incident response including actions of listed parties
Collect GPS points from the appropriate location(s)
Take photographs from appropriate location(s)
Complete online incident form when time permits
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L. Appendixes
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Appendix 1: Trade Secret/Confidential Proprietary Information Notice
Instructions:
The Commonwealth may not assert on behalf of a third party an exception to the public
release of materials that contain trade secrets or confidential proprietary information
unless the materials are accompanied, at the time they are submitted, by this form or a
document containing similar information.
It is the responsibility of the party submitting this form to ensure that all statements and
assertions made below are legally defensible and accurate. The Commonwealth will not
provide a submitting party any advice with regard to trade secret law.
Name of submitting party:
Contact information for submitting party:
Please provide a brief overview of the materials that you are submitting (e.g. bid proposal,
grant application, technical schematics):
Please provide a brief explanation of why the materials are being submitted to the
Commonwealth (e.g. response to bid #12345, application for grant XYZ being offered by the
Department of Health, documents required to be submitted under law ABC)
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Please provide a list detailing which portions of the material being submitted you believe
constitute a trade secret or confidential proprietary information, and please provide an
explanation of why you think those materials constitute a trade secret or confidential
proprietary information. Also, please mark the submitted material in such a way to allow a
reviewer to easily distinguish between the parts referenced below. (You may attach
additional pages if needed)
Note: The following information will not be considered a trade secret or confidential
proprietary information:
Any information submitted as part of a vendor’s cost proposal
Information submitted as part of a vendor’s technical response that does
not pertain to specific business practices or product specification
Information submitted as part of a vendor’s technical or disadvantaged
business response that is otherwise publicly available or otherwise
easily obtained
Information detailing the name, quantity, and price paid for any product
or service being purchased by the Commonwealth
Acknowledgment
The undersigned party hereby agrees that it has read and completed this form, and
has marked the material being submitted in accordance with the instructions above.
The undersigned party acknowledges that the Commonwealth is not liable for the use
or disclosure of trade secret data or confidential proprietary information that has not
been clearly marked as such, and which was not accompanied by a specific
explanation included with this form.
The undersigned agrees to defend any action seeking release of the materials it believes
to be trade secret or confidential, and indemnify and hold harmless the Commonwealth,
its agents and employees, from any judgments awarded against the Commonwealth in
favor of the party requesting the materials, and any and all costs connected with that
defense. This indemnification survives so long as the Commonwealth has possession of
the submitted material, and will apply to all costs unless and until the undersigned
provides a written statement or similar notice to the Commonwealth stating that it no
longer wishes to exempt the submitted material from public disclosure.
The undersigned acknowledges that the Commonwealth is required to keep all records for
at least as long as specified in its published records retention schedule.
The undersigned acknowledges that the Commonwealth reserves the right to reject the
undersigned’s claim of trade secret/confidential proprietary information if the
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Commonwealth determines that the undersigned has not met the burden of
establishing that the information constitutes a trade secret or is confidential. The
undersigned also acknowledges that if only a certain part of the submitted material is
found to constitute a trade secret or is confidential, the remainder of the submitted
material will become public; only the protected information will be removed and remain
nonpublic.
If being submitted electronically, the undersigned agrees that the mark below is a valid
electronic signature.
Signature
Title
Date
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Appendix 2: State Forest Rules & Regulations
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Appendix 3: Planting and Seeding Guidelines
Planting and Seeding Guidelines on State Forestlands
Background
Supplemental planting on state forestland is a common practice for activities such as revegetating a log landing after harvest, erosion and sedimentation control, forage and cover
habitat in wildlife openings, and restoration in gas development areas. The Bureau of Forestry
(BOF) oversees the Wild Plant Program in Pennsylvania and encourages the use of native
species in supplemental plantings whenever possible. Native species are especially appropriate
in areas that support populations of species of concern, contain wetlands, or have a pristine
character. However, native species do not always fully support the purpose of the planting and
non-native species may be preferred and justified. For example, many native grass species do
not rapidly colonize a site for two growing seasons, which may not satisfy erosion and
sedimentation plan requirements. To ensure ecologically-sound use of non-native plants, these
guidelines were developed to assist foresters and land managers in deciding the appropriate
use of non-native plantings on state forestlands.
According to the federal Executive Order 13112 of February 3, 1999, “An ‘invasive species’ is
defined as a species that is 1) non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and 2)
whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to
human health.” In the sustainable management of forest ecosystems in Pennsylvania, plants
classified as ‘invasive’ are likely to cause environmental harm through decreasing native
biodiversity, hindering regeneration process, altering wildlife habitat, or threatening natural
processes. Not all non-native plants that become naturalized in PA forests cause environmental
harm, and therefore, are not considered invasive.
While DCNR has determined several species to be invasive due to experience, on-going
research or other factors, not enough information has been compiled on other non-native
species to consider their potential ‘invasiveness’. However, some non-native species used on
state forestland may be deemed invasive in surrounding states or have similar characteristics as
invasive species, but have not been fully assessed for invasive potential in PA. The purpose of
these guidelines is to determine parameters around which non-native plants are examined for
‘invasive potential’ and subsequently permitted or barred for use on state forestland. These
guidelines will change over time, as monitoring results inform land managers on the
consequences of using particular non-native species in forest management.
The BOF administers state forests in Pennsylvania, which are certified with the Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC). In doing so, we are committed to the sustainable use of state
forestlands, which includes protecting and conserving native plant communities and making
wise decisions about state forest management. As part of the FSC requirements, the BOF will
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track, justify, and monitor the use of non-native species on state forestlands through these
guidelines. In addition, these planting guidelines may extend beyond state lands to other state
and private lands, including programs that encourage environmentally-sound forest
management practices, such as the Forest Stewardship Program.
Planting of non-native species
Non-native plant species fit into three categories for use on state forestland:
1. Determined invasive. Do not plant.
2. Potentially invasive (need more information). May plant with caution and
monitoring.
3. Not invasive. May plant with particular specifications noted.
Deemed Invasive: Do Not Plant
Any plant classified as a noxious weed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is barred
for planting use on state forestland. It is illegal to cultivate, sell, transport, or plant any species
classified as a noxious weed in PA. For a complete list of plants classified as noxious weeds in
PA, visit Natural Resource Conservation Service Invasive and Noxious Weeds List . This includes
Sorghum bicolor cv. drommundii (shattercane) and Sorghum halepense (Johnsonweed). Often,
seed distributors do not list the particular species of sorghum they sell. To reduce the risk of
introducing a noxious weed on state forestland, do not plant any sorghum species. Some
sorghum species may also be toxic to wildlife.
For the purposes of these planting guidelines, plant species are deemed invasive if they are
found on the DCNR Invasive Plant list (DCNR Invasive Plant Tutorial for Land Managers). Some
of these species may have been planted on state forestland in the past. However, current
standards forbid the use of these plants on state forestland. Do not plant any of these species
without a waiver from Ecological Services. Species on the DCNR ‘Watch’ list (e.g. Miscanthus
sinensis, Chinese silvergrass or Poa trivialis, rough bluegrass) are also considered on the do not
plant list because they invasive qualities in natural situations have been documented in these
species in PA.
Some of the plant species DCNR now considers undesirable and invasive have a long history of
being planted on state forestlands. Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), Japanese barberry
(Berberis thunbergii), and Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) were popular plantings in
wildlife openings, rights-of-way, and around building facilities. However, after a few decades on
the landscape, these species did not remain confined to where they were planted and spread to
forestlands and other habitats, directly competing with native flora and decreasing wildlife
habitat quality. Recently (past 5 years), the following species have been planted on state
forestland, but are now considered invasive by DCNR or should be watched for invasiveness:
a. European alder (Alnus glutinosa – now deemed invasive)
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b. Tall fescue (Festuca elatior – now deemed invasive)
c. Rough bluegrass (Poa trivialis – watch list)
Plant with caution and monitoring (Monitoring List)
Many plants have been used in seed mixes on state forestland with relative success and little
signs of aggressiveness. However, more information may suggest that some of these species
may become invasive or jeopardize native plant communities or wildlife habitat. These species
may continue to be planted on state forestland, but need to be monitored to assure they are
not becoming invasive (see attached protocol).
Common
name
Scientific name
Bird's-foot
trefoil
Lotus
corniculatus
Kentucky and
other exotic
Bluegrass
Poa pratensis
P. spp.
Bristly locust
Robinia hispida
var. fertilis
Chufa sedge,
yellow
nutsedge
Cyperus
esculentus (all
varities)
Creeping red
fescue seed
Festuca rubra
Korean
lespedeza
Kummerowia
stipulacea
Norway
spruce
Picea abes
Rare*?
Yes
No
Species of
Concern
(PNDI)
Poa
autumnalis
P. languida
P. paludigena
Rationale
Invasive in VA, TN, MO, IL,
WI, MN, WA, OR, CA.
Any bluegrass should be
avoided in plantings
unless native and from
native seed source.
Native to southern US,
but not PA. Monitor for
now.
Classified as a noxious
weed in many western
states. Mentioned as a
‘serious weed’ in Plants of
PA.
Native to US, but not PA.
Seems like a 'shady lawn'
species and should be
avoided. All fescues
should be avoided unless
native to PA and from
native seed source.
Invasive in KY and TN.
On many ‘watch’ lists. Will
naturalize along with
native vegetation,
perhaps not show invasive
characteristics, but should
document this.
Potential habitats
where aggressive
Prairies, disturbed
areas, roadsides,
high seed
production in
burned areas.
Meadows, fields,
and semi-open
woods; more mesic
to rich soils.
May act
aggressively, similar
to black locust.
Wet or moist soils.
Threat to native
prairies and other
open habitats.
Threat to native
prairies and other
open habitats.
In and surrounding
areas where
planted.
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Common
name
Scientific name
Rare*?
Orchard grass
Dactylis
glomerata
No
Perennial rye
Lolium perenne
ssp. Perenne
Rape
Brassica rapa, B.
campestris spp.
rapa
Redtop
Agrostis
gigantea
Sawtooth oak
Quercus
acutissima
Species of
Concern
(PNDI)
Rationale
Clumping and
recommended in our
leases, but listed as
invasive in: MD, VA, TN,
VA, SD, WY, CO, UT, AZ,
WA, OR
Similar to annual rye but
should remain on
monitoring list. The
perennial is known to be
more aggressive.
Considered noxious weed
in MI and with USCOE.
Known to poison
livestock, Inv: MD, VA, TN,
TX. B. napus does not
need monitored.
Very fast growth, not
recommended at high
seed rates. Inv: NY, VA,
TN, OR.
Invasive in MD, VA, TN,
SC. Discourage planting,
but may with thorough
monitoring. Suggest scrub
oak as an alternative.
Potential habitats
where aggressive
Threat to native
prairies and other
open habitats. Areas
where native warm
season grasses are
preferred.
Disturbed ground,
permanent
openings, etc.
Threat to native
prairies and other
open habitats.
Wet to moist soils in
open areas, open
riparian areas.
Food plots and
other open areas
adjacent to forest
land. Potentially in
dry forest land.
Noxious weed in CO, KS.
Threat to native
Sericea
Lespedeza
Spread throughout the
prairies and other
lespedeza
cuneata
No
eastern US.
open habitats.
*Members of genus are rare, but may not be the species used in plantings. Avoid or consult with Ecological
Services when planting rare species.
Currently, this document does not contain a protocol for monitoring. Please consult with
monitoring botanists in Ecological Services and the Inventory Section for a specific protocol. At
this time, the protocol is being developed as part of the state-wide monitoring efforts.
A species on the Potentially Invasive list may be moved to the Not Invasive list when they have
been adequately monitored to determine that the species is not expanding past the original
seeded/planted site and jeopardizing native plant communities or wildlife habitat. Conversely, a
species on this list may be moved to the ‘Invasive: Do not plant’ list if it consistently exhibits
invasive qualities by becoming established beyond the originally intended seeded/planted site
and posing a threat to native plant communities or wildlife habitat. A species may be restricted
from planting only in particular situations, but allowed in most plantings based on the results
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(e.g. a species may not be planted in a geographic region of the state due to its distinct
behavior in this region compared to the rest of the state).
The final determination to move species off the ‘Potentially Invasive’ list will be determined by
Ecological Services as a result of the monitoring and other information. Ecological Services will
notify the districts of any species changes among these lists.
Not Invasive: May plant with particular specifications noted.
The following list of plants has been planted on state forestland in the past. Some are native to
Pennsylvania, some are not native. However, there is little to no evidence to suggest these
species will have invasive tendencies. Until further documentation is presented to suggest
otherwise, these species may be planted on state forestland. No monitoring is necessary;
however, records should be kept that includes the rate and location of all species planted on
state forestland.
Common name
Alfalfa
Alsike white
clover
Annual rye**
Scientific name
Medicago
sativa
Trifolium
hybridum
Lolium perenne
ssp.
Multiflorum,
Lolium
temulentum
Native?
Species of
Concern
(PNDI)
No
No
Rationale for no monitoring
Not listed in nearby states, minor in Canada,
no longevity on site, shade intolerant.
Not listed as invasive in neighboring states.
Not drought hearty, shade intolerant. A lot of
input required to maintain clover where
planted.
‘Lesser threat' in KY, concerns on invasiveness
in HI, AK, OR, CA. Need monitoring results.
Asters
Austrian winter
pea
Autumn
bentgrass
Many genera
Yes/No
Pisum sativum
Agrostis
perennans
No
Barley
Hordeum vulgare
No
Big bluestem
Andropogon
gerardii
Yes
Blackeyed susan
Rudbeckia
Yes
Several
species in
different
genera (see
PNHP
website)
Do not plant PNDI species, unless of local
genetic origin. Please consult with Ecological
Services if interested in planting asters.
No evidence to suggest invasive.
Yes
No evidence to suggest invasive. ID only state
to list as invasive.
Rudbeckia
fulgida
Avoid planting R. fulgida unless from local
genetic origin.
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Common name
Scientific name
Native?
Bottlebrush grass
Yes
Buckwheat
Elymus hystrix
Fagopyrum
esculentum
Chinese chestnut
Species of
Concern
(PNDI)
Rationale for no monitoring
No
Known to exude allelopathic chemicals. Low
rating from Weed Risk Assessment for Hawaii.
Castanea
mollissima
No
Not listed as invasive on any lists. UFL notes
‘little, if any invasive potential at this time’.
Crabapples,
apples
Malus spp.
No
Crimson cover
Deer-tongue
grass
Trifolium
incarnatum
Dicanthelium
clandestinum
Flat pea
Fox sedge
Lathyrus
sylvestris
Carex
vulpinoidea
No
Yes
Yes
Solidago spp.
Yes
Hairy wild rye
Elymus villosus
Yes
Japanese larch
Kale
Crataegus spp.
Larix kaempferi
Brassica
oleracea
Not listed on any invasive species lists, except
‘potentially invasive’ on NRCS website.
No
Goldenrod
Hawthorns
Should not act aggressively. May escape and
naturalize, but not become invasive.
Not listed as invasive in neighboring states.
Not drought hearty, shade intolerant. A lot of
input required to maintain clover where
planted.
Solidago
errecta,
S. curtisii,
S. rigida,
S. roanensis,
S. simplex,
S. speciosa,
S. uliginosa
Be careful to not plant species of concern,
unless of local genetic origin.
Yes/No
No monitoring needed if using species
specified on list as OK (see below). Do not
plant near species of concern in same genus.
No
Not listed as invasive on any lists. SFL plantings
have not expanded beyond their original
boundaries.
No
No evidence to suggest invasive.
Ladino/Dutch
white clover
Trifolium repens
No
Medium red
clover
Trifolium
pratense
No
Not listed as invasive in neighboring states.
Not drought hearty, shade intolerant. A lot of
input required to maintain clover where
planted.
Not listed as invasive in neighboring states.
Not drought hearty, shade intolerant. A lot of
input required to maintain clover where
planted.
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Common name
Scientific name
Native?
Milkweed
Asclepias spp.
Yes
Millet
Milium or
Panicum
Oats
Partridge pea
Pennsylvania
sedge
Pitch x loblolly
pine hybrid
Rape, turnip,
swede, dwarf
essex rape
Avena fatua
Chamaecrista
fasciculata
Carex
pensylvanica
Yes/No
No
Yes
Panicum may be native and OK (SOSC in
surrounding states). Little evidence of Milium
being invasive in eastern US.
Will escape on disturbed/waste grounds, but
annual species and should not act
aggressively.
No
Not native in all the places it is planted in the
state, but OK to plant. Does not frequently
escape or expand its range.
Pinus resinosa
Yes/No
Elymus riparus
Yes
Rye seed
Secale cereale
No
Side oats
gramma
Bouteloua
curtipendula
Panicum
virgatum
Elymus
submuticus,
Elymus
virginicus
Virginia wild rye
Just be careful to not plant species of concern,
unless of local genetic origin.
Not preferred if native pure pitch pine will
suffice, but may be planted if deemed a need.
Little evidence of invasive tendencies and not
on invasive plant lists in US. B. rapa on
monitoring list, however.
No
Brassica napus
Rationale for no monitoring
Good substitute for trefoil.
Good native species to use in shaded
conditions.
Yes
Red pine
Riverbank wild
rye
Switchgrass
Species of
Concern
(PNDI)
Asclepias
rubra,
A. variegata
Panicum
amarum var.
amarulum, P.
flexile, P.
longifolium
Yes
Bouteloua
curtipendula
Inv: WA, OR. Annual winter cover crop. Likely
OK.
Use genetically local source when planting this
species. Please consult with Ecological Services
for more information.
Yes
Yes
White spruce
Picea glauca
No
Wild rye
Elymus spp.
Yes
Winter Wheat
Triticum
aestivum
No
Not native to PA, but little invasive potential
and useful in many plantings. Do not allow to
over take the importance of planting native
conifers.
Elymus
trachycaulus
Only inv in Death Valley, CA. Annual grass.
Good cover crop.
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Additional Planting Guidelines
In addition to the above restrictions on specific species/genera, the following planting
guidelines are to be followed on state forestlands:
a. Species with rare, threatened or endangered status (PNHP species of concern)
are generally not planted unless we have a species recovery plan for that
species. In general these plans specify that genetic stock originate from as close
to the planting site as possible. If it is not possible to obtain local genetic
material, selections are made from ecologically similar environments. Special
exceptions may be made within the framework of research agreements. Please
consult with Ecological Services when planting a species of concern.
b. Native tree species with no special status (PNHP species of concern) may be
planted. Pennsylvania stock is preferred and cultivars should be generally
avoided. Use Penn Nursery as the primary supplier of seedling stock, which is
grown from open pollinated district sources on SFL or from our own seed
orchards.
c. Currently, the BOF does not allow planting of non-natives in Natural or Wild
Areas, though this judgment is under review due to the loss of hemlock. Please
consult with Ecological Services if interested in using a non-native species in a
Natural or Wild Area.
d. Former plantations of exotic species (after recent harvests of lands with
vegetation typing indicating plantation) may be replaced by the same species if
deemed important for local reasons. Conversion to natural native stands is
encouraged unless there is a special local attachment to the plantation area (e.g.
CCC plantation surrounding picnic area). These historical and replacement
plantings need not be monitored if the historical significance is documented.
e. Species not used before (experimental plantings) are approved on a case by case
basis and logged and monitored as a research agreement. Please consult with
Ecological Services if interested in planting a species that was not used before.
f. Make every effort to use weed-free seed, dirt, gravel, and mulch in plantings.
This will significantly decrease the likelihood invasive species are accidentally
introduced in the materials used. Where possible, encourage the use of straw
over hay to reduce the likelihood of weed seed. In the past, some foresters have
inspected farm fields to verify the source stock does not contain weeds. The
resulting dense timothy seen on some log landing sites is suspected to have been
from the mulch (straw/hay) used on the seed, not the seed mix itself, so weedfree mulch is also important.
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g. The species found in this document were researched based on past use on state
forestland. Other species other than those included on the above lists may be
included in plantings on state forestland. If you are aware of another species that
is commonly used on your district, but was not found in this document, please
contact Carrie Gilbert, 717-783-0383, cagilbert@state.pa.us or Chris Firestone,
570-724-8149, cfirestone@state.pa.us. Likewise, if you are interested in using a
species that is not mentioned in this document, contact Ecological Services for
more information.
h. For some additional suggestions on alternatives to invasive species, visit Ohio’s
Division of Wildlife suggestions.
Planting Suggestions
Use species representative of the area.
Native species may not require lime and fertilizer inputs.
Cool season grasses should be mixed in with warm season grasses for quicker
perennial cover.
Although the optimum time to seed natives is in April, mid-November through
April may also be successful.
Do not expect immediate cover of warm season grasses, as these take time to
mature.
Fall may be the best time to purchase seed for its use in spring.
Native legumes may provide good cover and nitrogen fixation on poorer sites.
Revegetation and restoration of temporarily disturbed areas should be blended back into the
surrounding forestland. The resulting plant communities and structure should be
representative of pre-disturbance conditions, support long-term landscape management
objectives, and provide for a variety of native flora and fauna. The actual seed mixes, shrub
plantings, and wildlife habitat improvement options are decided upon by foresters and other
district personnel on a case-by-case basis. Some vegetation choices may have implications on
plant and animal species of concern, and assistance from botanists and biologists in Ecological
Services (BOF) is encouraged in determining appropriate revegetation and restoration goals.
In many cases, it may be suitable to restore areas back to their original composition before
disturbance. In addition, disturbed areas may be converted to permanent herbaceous
openings, successional openings of shrubs or trees, coniferous groupings, or a combination,
depending on the pre-disturbance character of the land and long-term management objectives.
Conifers may be used as screens or thermal cover plantings and can be utilized on the disturbed
side of a work/construction area when it parallels an existing opening and on both/all sides
when work/construction areas do not parallel an existing opening (e.g. when pipeline ROWs
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parallel and existing ROW, conifers should be planted on the side adjacent to the undisturbed
forest). Conifers should not be planted near rock piles constructed for timber rattlesnake
basking areas.
The following seed mixtures are simply suggestions for use on state forestland. They have been
developed for and used in other projects. The seeding rates are rough and may be amended for
each situation. Lime and fertilizer rates may be determined by site requirements at the
discretion of the forester. If you have a question about a species or mix that may not be on this
list, feel free to contact Ecological Services for more information. In all plantings on state
forestland, please attempt to use native seed mixes whenever possible. Many of these species
are available through Ernst Conservation Seeds, and Ecological Services is working towards
developing more local seed mix sources for the districts.
In order to establish a quick cover for stabilization and reduce the chance for invasive species to
establish, a cover crop may be mixed in with any of the mixes. The cover crop will either be
oats if the seeding takes place in the spring (prior to June 15th) or grain rye if the seeding takes
place in the fall (after June 15th). This can be applied at the same time with the mixes below
and can be done with the hydro seeder. The cover crop should be applied at one (1)
bushel/acre. Seeding needs to be completed as soon as possible. Optimum seeding times are
before mid-April or after mid-September, if possible, for the best chance of successful
established cover. No permanent seeding should be conducted between June 30 th and August
31st. Annual rye grass may be substituted for cover crop, but this species needs to be
monitored.
Native grass and forb mix suggestions
Percentages are given below instead of rates to account for different environmental situations.
For native grasses, a lower rate should be adequate over time for establishment (15-30lb per
acre). Many of the warm season grasses are much larger in stature at maturity and to maintain
their wildlife component, some space between individuals should be allowed where slope is not
an issue. For erosion control and on poorer sites, higher rates may be necessary to achieve
desired conditions. In addition, rates may need to be higher when broadcast seeding as
opposed to using plugs.
General Native Seed Mix*
15%
10%
15%
10%
5%
30%
Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Deertongue (Dicanthelium clandestinum)
Bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix)
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15%
Spring Oats (Avena fatua) or Grain Rye (Secale cereale)
OR Annual Rye (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum or L. temulentum)
*This mix was developed by the National Park Service in West Virginia for reseeding along a gas
transmission line. It has not been tested on State Forest lands, but may be successful for ROW
vegetation establishment.
Native Grass and Herb Mix
20%
10%
15%
10%
10%
5%
5%
3%
5%
2%
2%
3%
5%
5%
Little Bluestem PA ecotype (Andropogon scoparius)
Big Bluestem variety “Niagra” (Andropogon gerardii) (genetic origin is NY)
Virginia Wild Rye PA ecotype (Elymus virginicus)
Indiangrass PA ecotype (Sorghastrum nutans)
Deertongue variety “Tioga” (Panicum clandestinum)
Switchgrass variety “Shelter” (Panicum virgatum) (genetic origin is WV)
Partridge Pea PA ecotype (Chamaecrista fasciculata)
Showy Tick Trefoil PA ecotype (Desmodium canadense)
Ox-eye sunflower PA ecotype (Heliopsis helianthoides)
Autumn bentgrass PA ecotype (Agrostis perennans)
Woolgrass PA ecotype (Scirpus cyperinus)
Soft Rush PA ecotype (Juncus effusus)
Pennsylvania smartweed PA ecotype (Polygonum pensylvanicum)
Common Milkweed PA ecotype (Asclepias syriaca)
General Native Erosion and Sedimentation Seed Mix
30%
30%
20%
20%
Virginia Wild Rye PA ecotype (Elymus virginicus) or Switchgrass variety “Shelter”
(Panicum virgatum) (genetic origin is WV)
Autumn bentgrass (Agrostis perennans) or ticklegrass (A. scabra) (both will tolerate
more shade)
Partridge Pea PA ecotype (Chamaecrista fasciculata)
Spring Oats (Avena fatua) or Grain Rye (Secale cereale)
OR Annual Rye (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum or L. temulentum)
Areas with higher moisture and shade
20%
20%
20%
15%
Virginia wild rye (Emylus virginicus)
Riverbank wild rye (Elymus riparius)
Canadian wild rye (Elymus canadensis) may be used in place of riverbank wild rye at the
same rate on drier soils
Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica)
Tioga deer tongue (Panicum clandestinum)
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10%
15%
Redtop (SPECIFY THIS SPECIES: Panicum rigidulum)
Spring Oats (Avena fatua) or Grain Rye (Secale cereale)
OR Annual Rye (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum or L. temulentum)
Wetland areas, waters edges and areas with normal high water flow
40%
40%
20%
Virginia wild rye (Elymus virginicus) or Riverbank wild rye* (Elymus riparius)
Fox sedge (Carex vulpinoides)
Redtop (SPECIFY THIS SPECIES: Panicum rigidulum)
Topsoil from disturbed wetlands should be stock piled until construction is complete. Topsoil
should be replaced on the disturbed area and allowed to reseed naturally by surrounding
vegetation when conditions allow. Seed mixes on wetland areas may be used when there is a
need to stabilize soil, revegetate quickly, or deter invasive species establishment. It is important
for district personnel to review proposed seed mixes for use near wetland areas, waters edges,
or areas with normal high water flow because many suggestions by contractors or consultants
have included the use of invasive wetland species (e.g. reed canary grass and tall fescue).
Native/non-native grass and legume mix
These seed mix suggestions may be used when all-native mixes are not deemed the most
appropriate for the situation.
Slopes greater than 15%
Timothy (Phleum pretense)
Canada wild-rye (Elymus canadensis) *
Little bluestem (Schizachyriukm scoparium)**
Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans)**
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
White clover (Trifolium repens)
Deer tongue (Panicum clandestinum)
Showy tick-trefoil (Desmodium canadense)
or senna (Senna hebecarpa)**
Partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
6 lbs. per acre
6 lbs. PLS per acre
3 lbs. PLS per acre
3 lbs. PLS per acre
3 lbs. PLS per acre
2 lbs. PLS per acre
8 lbs. PLS per acre
5 lbs. per acre
2 lbs. PLS per acre
1 lbs. PLS per acre
0.5 lbs. PLS per acre
Slopes less than 15%
Timothy (Phleum pretense)
4 lbs. per acre
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Virginia wild-rye (Elymus virginicus) *
Little bluestem (Schizachyriukm scoparium)**
Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Deer tongue (Panicum clandestinum)
White clover (Trifolium repens)
Showy tick-trefoil (Desmodium canadense)
or senna (Senna hebecarpa)**
Partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
6 lbs. PLS per acre
2 lbs. PLS per acre
2 lbs. PLS per acre
4 lbs. PLS per acre
8 lbs. per acre
2 lbs. PLS per acre
1 lbs. PLS per acre
0.5 lbs. PLS per acre
*Riverbank wild-rye (Elymus riparius) or bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix) may
be substituted for either wild-rye species in more mesic to wet and shady
situations.
**These species may be limited in the very northern counties in the state. This
does not mean they will not be successful here, but they are not known to
commonly naturally occur in this area.
Conifer/Shrub Groups
Pockets of shrubs may be planted in construction areas no longer being used and may be
planted intermittently along ROWs where disturbance had taken place. These plantings can
vary in size, but should be at least 200 square feet (10’x20’). Below represents shrub group
suggestion that may be used depending on conservation or management objectives. Shrub
groups should be alternated along right of ways with each group selected by the District
Forester/Park Manager. These plantings should be fenced to protect from damage by browsing
herbivores but fencing may be waived by the District Forester/Park Manager or designee.
a. Group 1: Conifer group
White Pine (Pinus strobus)
Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida)
Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana) – south of route I-80
Red Pine (Pinus resinosa) – north of route I-80
b. Group 2: Hawthorn/Crabapple group
Washington Hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum)
American Sweet Crabapple (Malus coronaria)
Cockspur Hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli)
Large-seed Hawthorn (Crataegus macrosperma)
Frosted Hawthorn (Crataegus pruinosa)
Dotted or White Hawthorn (Crataegus punctata)
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c. Group 3: Serviceberry Group
Shadbush (Amelanchier arborea)
Smooth/Allegheny Shadbush (Amelanchier laevis)
Low Shadbush (Amelanchier stolonifera)
d. Group 4 : Mast Producing Group
Black Locust (Robinia psuedoacacia)
American Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana)
Black Haw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium)
American Hazelnut (Corylus americana)
Dwarf Chinquapin Oak (Quercus prinoides)
Scrub Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)
e. Group 5: Blackberry/Raspberry Group
Common Blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis)
Sawtooth Blackberry (Rubus argutus)
Smooth Blackberry (Rubus canadensis)
Black Raspberry (Rubus occidntalis)
Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeaus)
f. Group 6: Host Group
Black-haw (Viburnum prunifolium)
Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)
Black Chokeberry (Photinia melanocarpa)
Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera)
Pinxter-flower (Rhodendron periclymenoides)
Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)
Scrub Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)
The Bureau of Forestry expects a minimum of 75% survival rate for the first year for tree and
shrub seedlings. Replacements will be planted the following spring of the year. Attached are
tree planting notes that will help to ensure success.
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Non-native legume mix for food plots
A non-native legume mix or native grass and herb mix can be used in revegetating disturbed
work areas. These areas are to be located at the discretion of the wildlife forester or district
personnel with input from Ecological Services. The non-native legume plots should be three to
five acres in size and not to exceed one food plot per 8 miles of ROW. Many food plots already
exist on state forestland, and non-native legume plots should only be used when it is
determined there is a need on a landscape-scale.
Non-Native Legume Mix for Herbivores
15%
15%
15%
40%
15%
Ladino Clover (Trifolium repens)
White Dutch Clover (Trifolium repens)
Alsike Clover (Trifolium hybridum)
Birdsfoot trefoil* (Lotus corniculatus var. norcen)
*This species would need to be monitored. May replace with partridge pea for similar
wildlife value.
Spring Oats (Avena fatua) or Grain Rye (Secale cereale)
OR Annual Rye (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum or L. temulentum)
Stream crossings
Streams impacted by management activities may be planted for canopy coverage with trees
and shrubs or just shrubs. Plant material should be from stock native to the Allegheny Ridge
and Valley Region (central Pennsylvania), the Allegheny Plateau Region (western Pennsylvania).
These plantings may need to be protected from browsing herbivores with an eight (8) foot
woven wire fence. The use of tree shelters is discouraged, but when used, netting should be
placed over the opening to avoid mortality of cavity nesting birds. Below are a few species
suggestions for stream crossings.
Species for Stream Crossings
Black Willow
Black Chokeberry
Winterberry
Silky Dogwood
Red Maple
Yellow Birch
White Oak
Tulip Poplar
Eastern Hemlock
Arrow-wood
(Salix nigra)
(Aronia melanocarpa)
(Ilex verticilata)
(Comus amomun)
(Acer rubrum)
(Betula alleghaniensis)
(Quercus alba)
(Liriodendron tulipifera)
(Tsuga canadensis)
(Viburnum dentatum)
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Other species may be listed in these guidelines. However, it is best to check with Ecological
Services that the species is not Endangered, Threatened, or of ecological concern for another
reason (e.g. the species is a host for a disease that adversely affects another species).
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Appendix 4: Invasive Plant Management Guidelines
A. Invasive Plant Guidelines:
1
Pre-construction Inventory and Mapping
1.1
Licensee should elect to perform a pre-construction inventory of
invasive plants present on the portion of the right-of-way
premises where construction is planned to determine appropriate
prevention methods, predict control needs, and assess its level of
responsibility for management of invasive species and
populations. The inventory objective is to locate established
invasive plant species populations.
1.2
If Licensee elects to undertake an inventory as described in
Section 1.1, all areas which may be disturbed by the planned
construction and related activities should be inventoried for
invasive plant species during the growing season from May
through September by a qualified botanist. Plants classified as
invasive include those on DCNR’s Invasive Plant Tutorial or as
specified by the Bureau of Forestry.
1.3
Inventory data should be collected from the entire area of the
planned construction on state forest land and any buffer areas
that may be appropriate, in grid cells no greater than 150’ x 150’
in size. The established grid should be digitized into a GIS layer
and printed on maps that will be used for field data accumulation.
Standard information including date, surveyor name, and grid cell
number should always be recorded prior to beginning the actual
survey. During the field study the center of each grid cell should
be located using GPS, and an inventory created by noting the
presence of any invasive plant species or the complete absence of
any invasive species within the specified grid cell and a note of the
dominant species per plant type (e.g., herbaceous, shrub, tree)
should be recorded. For each invasive species occurrence, the
cover class within each grid cell should be recorded as the
following:
Trace = less than 1% cover
Low = between 1 and 5% cover
Moderate = between 5 and 25% cover
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High = between 25 and 100% cover
Cover may be estimated as a percent of the ground covered by a
particular species. All trace and low occurrence locations should
be located by GPS to aid in relocation and treatment.
For each grid cell, the average height of each invasive species in
each grid cell should be recorded.
In addition, the average growth stage should be recorded as the
following for each invasive species in each grid cell:
Seedling
Bolt
Bud
Flower
Seed set
Mature
1.4
2
If Licensee elects to forego the above described pre-construction
survey for invasive species, Licensee shall be responsible for all
occurrences of post-construction infestations of invasive species
that may be found in the construction area regardless of origin or
amount and will be required to perform management and control
activity as described in Section 3 below.
Prevention
2.1
Where no invasive plants are detected, Licensee should use only
PA Department of Agriculture certified seed and weed-free soil,
dirt, and mulch whenever feasible. Certified seed and weed-free
soil, dirt, and mulch may be determined as such by the District
Forest/Park Manager and Ecological Services. If materials certified
as weed-free cannot readily be obtained, the source of materials
being used shall be inspected for invasive plants during the
growing season by a qualified botanist and used only if deemed
weed-free. Please note that weed contamination can sometimes
occur through the use of contaminated seed spreaders, not
necessarily from the seed stock itself. Be sure that seeding
equipment is clean and free of any seed used prior to these
activities.
2.2
Mulching with straw rather than hay is recommended to reduce
the possibility of introducing invasive species propagules.
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2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
Where heavy infestations of Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium
vimineum) are detected during pre-construction surveys, a seed
mix of native rye grass (Elymus spp.), Autumn bentgrass (Agrostis
perrenans) and deer tongue (Dichanthelium clandestinum) should
be planted as aggressive competition against the seed-banked
invasive Japanese stiltgrass. Seeding specifications will be
provided by the District Forester/Park Manager. Herbicide, such
as glyphosate, may be used in combination with seeding to
increase the success of Japanese stiltgrass control at the direction
of the District Forest/Park Manager.
Prior to bringing equipment into un-invaded areas or onto state
forest land, the licensee is encouraged to clean its equipment in
an appropriate manner to remove plant parts such as rhizomes
and seeds that might be carried on tires and the equipment
undercarriage, which will help prevent the spread of invasive
species onto adjacent lands (please refer to Equipment Inspection
and Cleaning Manual, and Vehicle Cleaning Technology for
Controlling the Spread of Noxious Weeds and Invasive Species).
Licensee is highly encouraged to plan work according to invasive
species presence and avoid entering an un-infested area after
working in a heavily infested area (including bringing equipment
in from other states or geographic areas). If this is not logistically
possible, the licensee should seriously consider cleaning
equipment between entries. District personnel may assist
contractor or Licensee in planning construction activities in
relation to invasive species when they are aware of their presence
in particular areas.
Pre-treatment of identified invasive species infestations of
herbaceous species or species that reproduce prolifically from
rhizome/root segments with herbicides prior to construction is
encouraged and may be performed at the direction of the District
Forester/Park Manager.
3. Management
3.1 Management and control of established invasive plant populations
shall be planned on a species-by-species basis to determine the
best method of control. Licensee and its consultant shall submit a
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3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
“Management and Control Plan” to District Forester/Park
Manager no fewer than three (3) months after the conclusion of
all construction activities.
Licensee shall include a post-construction invasive survey report
with the same survey parameters as described in Section 1 above,
in the Management and Control Plan. The District Forester/Park
Manager and Ecological Services Section will assist Licensee in the
development of appropriate management methods by species
and/or invasive occurrence.
Post-construction invasive species surveys along access roads shall
be limited to areas where gravel was placed or the existing road
was widened for Licensee use.
Any new invasive populations will be assumed to be the result of
sources other than the Licensee’s construction activities for a
period of five (5) years or until invasive species are not observed
on-site for two consecutive years once seed and other
revegetation activities have become established, whichever is
longer. Control of species found will continue until the species
are eradicated.
Licensee and the Bureau of Forestry will coordinate with the other
jurisdictional agencies about species of special concern and the
potential impacts invasive species management activity may
produce.
4. Monitoring
4.1 Licensee shall make provisions to monitor for invasive species
within the area(s) disturbed by the construction activity for a
period of five (5) years following construction or until invasive
species are not observed on-site for two consecutive years once
seed and other revegetation activities have become established,
whichever is longer.
4.2
Licensee shall perform an annual survey for the presence of
invasive species within the construction area, as described in 4.1
above, following major construction. The annual survey should
follow the same methods as the pre-construction survey method
described in Section 1. The only exception to the method
described in Section 1 is the grid cell boundaries only need to be
checked occasionally with the GPS to ensure that monitoring
alignment is consistent with the original inventory alignment.
4.3
If the Licensee is not able to perform the aforementioned invasive
species monitoring, a representative from the state forest district
will conduct a broad survey for invasive species during routine site
inspections. If invasive species are detected within the time
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frames described above, the introductions will be assumed as a
result of the gas development activities and the Licensee shall be
responsible for eradication and control.
5. Reporting
5.1
The results of all Licensee annual invasive surveys shall be
summarized into a report, which shall include the following
elements:
methods
summary of invasive species detected
abundance of each species
number of new populations per species
number of eradicated populations by species
management recommendations for management and
control
relative success of control efforts
Report and raw electronic observation data shall be submitted to
District Forester/Park Manager and Ecological Services within 60
days following completion of the report. Submission of any
electronic data should occur simultaneously with the written
report submission. Data recording and management should be
consistent year-to-year so data can easily be compared by grid cell
number. The Department reserves the right to audit the findings
of the Licensee’s reports and as a result of any audit, Department
may require alternate methods of management and control.
5.2
Department may publish reports, raw data, or articles
summarizing invasive species management and monitoring efforts
from time to time. Licensee will be consulted prior to publication
of any reports or raw data for comment.
B. Revegetation Guidelines (Linear Corridor Activities)
Right-of-way (ROW) projects across lands managed by DCNR have the potential to disturb
sizable acreage. The revegetation goals for this disturbed acreage include:
erosion and sedimentation control,
adhering to long-term ROW maintenance specifications,
creation of sustainable wildlife habitat,
blending the disturbance into the surrounding landscape and native plant
communities, and
aesthetics.
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The following revegetation guidelines provided by DCNR will address these goals. These
guidelines give various seed options for revegetation under different environmental conditions.
However, the revegetation/restoration strategy should be decided upon in coordination with
the District Forester/Park Manager to address state forest or park vegetation and habitat goals.
1.1
Revegetation disturbed work areas are meant to blend into the
surrounding landscape. The intended long-term plant
communities should be representative of the sites’ environmental
and geographic conditions. When developing a long-term
revegetation strategy, please refer to the Restoration Options for
Reclaiming Gas Devlopment Sites to provide information of plant
community and animal habitat creation information.
1.2
All revegetation strategies should adhere to the BOF Planting
Guidelines set forth on state forestland. In summary, the BOF
Planting Guidelines include the following considerations:
Use species representative of the area.
Native species may not require lime and fertilizer inputs.
Cool season grasses should be mixed in with warm season
grasses for quicker perennial cover.
Optimum time to seed natives is April. However, midNovember through April may also be successful.
Don’t expect immediate cover of warm season grasses –
these take time to mature.
Fall may be best time to purchase seed for use in spring.
Native legumes may provide good cover and nitrogen
fixation on poorer sites.
1.3
No permanent seeding should be conducted between June 30 th
and August 31st unless agreed to by the District Forester/Park
Manager or their designee.
1.4
Prior to bringing equipment onto state forest land and prior to
moving equipment from heavily invaded areas (identified during
the pre-construction inventory) into un-invaded areas, equipment
should be cleaned in an appropriate manner to remove plant
parts such as rhizomes and seeds that might be carried on tires,
equipment undercarriage, etc. (see Prevention section above).
1.5
A native and non-native grass mix for the appropriate situation
should be the main component of the revegetation efforts and
will be used for cover and stabilization in the disturbed ROW. This
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mix is suggested, however, and another mix may be used in
accordance with the BOF’s Planting Guidelines at the discretion of
the District Forest/Park Manager or their designee. If species on
the monitoring list in the Planting Guidelines are chosen by the
ROW company, the ROW company is responsible for the
monitoring. If a species on the monitoring list is chosen by the
District/Park, they will be responsible for the monitoring.
1.6
In order to establish a quick cover for stabilization and reduce the
chance for invasive species to establish, a cover crop may be
mixed in with any of the mixes. The cover crop will either be oats
if the seeding takes place in the Spring (prior to June 15th) or grain
rye if the seeding takes place in the Fall (after June 15 th). This can
be applied at the same time with the mixes below or beforehand
if waiting for the optimum time to plant native seed (February
through April) and can be done with the hydro seeder. The cover
crop should be applied at one (1) bushel/acre. Seeding of the
cover crop needs to be completed as soon as possible.
1.7
No permanent seeding should be conducted between June 30 th
and August 31st unless agreed to by the District Forester/Park
Manager or their designee. The District Forester/Park Manager or
designee may substitute annual rye grass for the cover crop.
1.8
The seeding rates provided below are estimated and may be
amended for each situation. Lime and fertilizer rates may be
determined by site requirements at the discretion of the District
Forest/Park Manager or their designee. Native species should not
require the lime and fertilizer inputs that are used on non-native
mixes. This will help to cut the cost. If lime and fertilizer are used,
keep in mind that these often promote weedy species and control
of undesirables may be necessary.
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Native/Non-Native Grass and Legume Mixes
Slopes greater than 15%
Timothy (Phleum pretense)
Canada wild-rye (Elymus canadensis) *
Little bluestem (Schizachyriukm scoparium)**
Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans)**
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
White clover (Trifolium repens)
Deer tongue (Panicum clandestinum)
Showy tick-trefoil (Desmodium canadense)
or senna (Senna hebecarpa)**
Partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
6 lbs. per acre
6 lbs. PLS per acre
3 lbs. PLS per acre
3 lbs. PLS per acre
3 lbs. PLS per acre
2 lbs. PLS per acre
8 lbs. PLS per acre
5lbs. per acre
2 lbs. PLS per acre
1 lbs. PLS per acre
0.5 lbs. PLS per acre
Slopes less than 15%
Timothy (Phleum pretense)
Virginia wild-rye (Elymus virginicus) *
Little bluestem (Schizachyriukm scoparium)**
Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Deer tongue (Panicum clandestinum)
White clover (Trifolium repens)
Showy tick-trefoil (Desmodium canadense)
or senna (Senna hebecarpa)**
Partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
4 lbs. per acre
6 lbs. PLS per acre
2 lbs. PLS per acre
2 lbs. PLS per acre
4 lbs. PLS per acre
8 lbs. per acre
2 lbs. PLS per acre
1 lbs. PLS per acre
0.5 lbs. PLS per acre
*Riverbank wild-rye or bottlebrush grass may be substituted for either wild-rye
species in more mesic to wet and shady situations.
**These species may be limited in the very northern counties in the state. This
does not mean they will not be successful here, but they are not known to
commonly naturally occur in this area.
1.9
Make every effort to use weed-free seed, dirt, gravel, and mulch
in revegetation and restoration activities. This will significantly
decrease the likelihood invasive species are accidentally
introduced in the materials used. Use straw instead of hay to
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1.10
1.11
1.13
1.14
reduce the likelihood of weed seed. The source fields for mulch
and other seed may be physically examined to determine the
presence/absence of invasive species or other weeds. For
example, timothy may become an undesirable major component
of resulting vegetation if its seed is present in the mulching
materials, even if not present in the seed mixes.
Basking habitat for the timber rattlesnake should be created
throughout the ROW corridor whenever materials and habitat are
available and at the discretion of the District Forester/Park
Manager and Ecological Services. Often large rock slabs will be
unearthed during the excavation of these openings. Rock
placement should be in a position so the rocks receive a daily
minimum of 5 to 7 hours of direct sunlight (north or east side of
opening). Large flat slabs, aminimum of 4’ x 6’, should piled
horizontally one or two layers high and about 5 to 10 yards out
into the opening from the existing tree line. It is important to
maintain the appropriate amount of shade and sun on these areas
to provide proper habitat. Please review the PA Fish and Boat
Commission document Guideline for Timber Rattlesnake Habitat
Creation (2010) for additional information.
Habitat for the Allegheny woodrat should be created where
appropriate by placing rock materials excavated during
construction adjacent to existing, forested rock areas found next
to the temporary work space. Some conifers may be planted near
the habitat creation, but deciduous, mast-producing trees are
more desirable. Please consult with Ecological Services for
additional information regarind Allgheny woodrat habitat creation
in the ROW corridor.
Conifers may be used as aesthetic or thermal screens. The
conifers should be planted in a staggered fashion at
approximately 6’ by 6’ spacing. Conifers should not be planted
near existing or created timber rattlesnake basking areas.
Conifers may include white pine (Pinus strobus), pitch pine (Pinus
rigida), Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana, south of route 80), and red
pine (Pinus resinosa, north of route 80).
Pockets of shrubs may be planted where existing scrubby shrub
habitat exists adjacent to the ROW to extend this important
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wildlife habitat. Native species that are found in the adjacent
scrubby shrub may be used in the extension of this habitat. Native
species appropriate for the landscape and ecosystem may be used
to augment these planting, including, but not limited to:
Hawthorns (Crataegus spp.)
Crabapples (Malus spp.)
Serviceberries (Amelanchier spp.)
Black Locust (Robinia psuedoacacia)
Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana)
Black Haw, Hobblebush, and other Viburnums (Viburnum
spp.)
Blackberries/Raspberries (Rubus spp.)
Scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia) and dwarf chinquapin oak
(Quercus prinoides)
American hazelnut (Corylus americana)
Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.)
New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus)
Black chokeberry (Photinia melancarpa)
1.15
1.16
The Bureau of Forestry expects a minimum of 75% survival rate
for the first year for tree and shrub seedlings. Replacements will
be planted the following spring of the year.
Metal gates painted black and yellow will be installed and follow
Bureau of Forestry’s specifications.
C. Revegetation Guidelines (non-linear Corridor Activities)
1.1
Revegetation and restoration of disturbed gas pads, pipelines,
retired roads, and other disturbed work areas associated with gas
drilling are meant to blend the disturbed areas back into the
surrounding forestland. The resulting plant communities and
structure should be representative of pre-disturbance conditions,
support long-term landscape management objectives, and
support a variety of native flora and fauna. When developing a
long-term revegetation strategy, please refer to the Restoration
Options for Reclaiming Gas Development Sites to provide
information of plant community and animal habitat creation
information. The BOF sets forth Planting Guidelines on all
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1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
plantings on state forestland which are summarized in Appendix
4.
The revegetation/restoration strategy should be decided upon in
coordination with the District Forester/Park Manager to address
state forest or park vegetation and habitat goals. Often,
construction and development activities need to consider the
subsequent restoration in design. Therefore, the Licensee shall
begin working with district and park personnel in developing a
restoration strategy during the pre-construction planning process
(refer to Restoration Options for Reclaiming Gas Devlopment Sites
for more information). Some vegetation choices may have
implications on plant and animal species of concern, and
assistance from personnel in Ecological Services (BOF) is
encouraged in determining appropriate revegetation and
restoration goals.
No permanent seeding should be conducted between June 30 th
and August 31st unless agreed to by the District Forester/Park
Manager or their designee.
Prior to bringing equipment onto state forest land and prior to
moving equipment from heavily invaded areas (identified during
the pre-construction inventory) into un-invaded areas, equipment
should be cleaned in an appropriate manner to remove plant
parts such as rhizomes and seeds that might be carried on tires,
equipment undercarriage, etc. (see Prevention section above).
It is recommended that the operator utilize a native grass and
herb mix for cover and stabilization within the disturbed
construction areas when possible. The district will request or
review all seed mixes or other plantings proposed for any
revegetation activities, to be sure they are compliant with the BOF
Planting Guidelines. Seed mixes and species plantings should
provide for immediate stabilization and reduce the chance of
invasive species establishment.
Conifers may be used as aesthetic or thermal screens. The
conifers should be planted in a staggered fashion at
approximately 6’ by 6’ spacing. Conifers should not be planted
near existing or created timber rattlesnake basking areas.
The Bureau of Forestry expects a minimum of 75% survival rate
for the first year for tree and shrub seedlings. Replacements will
be planted the following spring of the year.
Metal gates painted black and yellow will be installed and follow
Bureau of Forestry’s specifications.
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1.9
Make every effort to use weed-free seed, dirt, gravel, and mulch
in revegetation and restoration activities. This will significantly
decrease the likelihood invasive species are accidentally
introduced in the materials used. Use straw instead of hay to
reduce the likelihood of weed seed. The source fields for mulch
and other seed may be physically examined to determine the
presence/absence of invasive species or other weeds. For
example, timothy may become an undesirable major component
of resulting vegetation if its seed is present in the mulching
materials, even if not present in the seed mixes.
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Appendix 5: Restoration Guidelines
Restoration Guidelines and Options for Reclaiming Gas Development Sites
Part 1: Introduction
Purpose of the Document
As demands for energy continue to grow, the development of gas-related activities on State
Forest land will continue to increase. These increases will result in the disturbance of a
significant amount of plant and wildlife habitat, especially core and interior habitats.
However, there is the possibility of reducing the impact, as well as, utilizing these sites for
enhancement of wildlife and plant habitat through restoration. With proper planning and
effective, thoughtful implementation, we can create suitable habitat for many species of
plants and wildlife during the interim and final restoration of gas-related sites.
The purpose of this document is to offer “planning considerations” and restoration
guidelines on gas development sites to better regain a functioning ecosystem. This
document is also meant to work in conjunction with the Bureau of Forestry’s Best
Management Practices manual for gas development and Planting Guidelines. These
guidelines encourage approaches to restoration that result in tree species diversity,
appropriate species selection for a particular site, and maintenance of habitat structure.
The recommendations and information which follow are offered as a guide for restoration
and each case should be evaluated and decided upon at a landscape level.
Ecological restoration may take years or decades to reach the management objective;
however, this means it is even more important to look at every step in restoration as an
opportunity for restoration and enhancement of habitat.
Where and When to use these Restoration options
The guidelines presented in this document should be considered as restoration options during
interim and final restoration for several of the gas-related activities being conducted on State
Forest land, including restoration of:
Well-pads
Staging areas
Impoundments
Right-of-Ways
Temporary compressor stations
Retired roads
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The information presented in this document could be considered during any stage of
restoration following disturbance. This includes initial stages of restoration, such as erosion
and sedimentation control planning.
This document is currently an initial version. Through time a standardized approach of how to
implement these guidelines consistently across State Forest land will be developed. This will
include an outline of roles and responsibilities for Bureau of Forestry district and central office
staff.
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Part II: Defining Restoration, Rehabilitation, Reclamation
Explanations of Terms
The terms restoration, reclamation and rehabilitation are often used interchangeably, but have
different meanings. The definitions may become important when determining final goals for an
area and for clarification of a final outcome. The word restoration is used throughout this
document, but often reclamation or rehabilitation will really be taking place in the field. The
terms are clarified below.
Ecological Restoration: Restoration is typically defined as the return of a functioning
ecosystem to its original state. This type of restoration accelerates the recovery of an
ecosystem’s health and sustainability. Merely recreating the landscape without ecosystem
functions does not constitute restoration.
Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation is often referred to as being an act of returning a landscape
to a previous condition or state. Landscapes that are rehabilitated are not expected to be in
as original or as healthy a state as if it had been restored. It is typically thought of as an
improvement from a degraded state.
Reclamation: Reclamation has an even broader application than rehabilitation.
Reclamation usually indicates a return of the land to what, within the regional context, is
considered to be a useful purpose. Replacement may therefore be involved rather than
restoring to a previous condition. Revegetation, which is normally a component of land
reclamation, may entail the establishment of only one or few species. Reclamation projects
that are more ecologically based can qualify as rehabilitation or even restoration.
Goals and Objectives
The general goal of ecological restoration is to assist the recovery of an ecosystem that has
been degraded, damaged, or destroyed.
The Bureau of Forestry’s mission is to ensure the long-term health, viability and productivity
of Pennsylvania’s forests and to conserve native wild plants. Therefore, if possible,
restoration should not be complete unless the proper interactions upon which the integrity
of the ecosystem depends is functioning. In most cases, ecological restoration is complete
once the assistance of a restoration practitioner is no longer needed to ensure long-term
ecosystem sustainability.
The objectives(s) of restoration should be to:
Establish vegetation that can aid in controlling erosion
Allow recruitment by native plant species for increased diversity
Fix Nitrogen (N) from the atmosphere
Create wildlife habitat
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Minimize invasion of exotic species
Develop the area into a productive ecosystem dominated by native species
Types
The various contexts of restoration may involve degrees of work and maintenance. Ecological
restoration can be defined as either passive or active.
Passive restoration: Passive restoration is an activity where the degradation causes are
identified and removed and the area recovers without further assistance to a more
desirable condition. This activity is often appropriate for communities that have only
been slightly impaired. Passive approaches have been shown to be ineffective for
restoring highly degraded systems and active methods may often be necessary.
Active restoration: Active restoration includes management techniques such as
planting, weeding, and thinning that are undertaken with a particular image of desired
final landscape in mind and may be necessary in highly degraded communities.
To truly restore a site the historical species and structure should be maintained and
sustained into the future. All types of restoration may be necessary to achieve full
restoration. It will have to be decided whether or not an active strategy is worth the
cost, the likelihood of success and the degree of risk.
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Part III: Planning
Planning Considerations
The first thing to consider in developing a restoration plan is the long-term desired
condition for the landscape and site. This could be based on managing to revert back to
pre-disturbance conditions, fill a lacking habitat or manage for a priority species (Appendix
IV), providing additional food and hunting opportunities with food plots, or conducting
special habitat enhancements. Before implementing management actions, district
personnel and Ecological Services should create clear long-term objectives for the
landscape. These objectives and options for reclamation should consider the following:
A. Conduct pre-project monitoring as needed to identify the kind of ecosystem to be
restored, existing site conditions and describe the biota
Often it is useful to obtain baseline measurements on such parameters as wildlife and
plants using the site, soil quality, water quality and any other information that may be
pertinent during restoration. This information is especially important if the site is
different or unique from the surrounding landscape. This step should be conducted
prior to earth disturbance because sites may not begin restoration activities for 5-20
years after initial earth disturbance.
Descriptors that should be documented to facilitate communication at the time of
restoration include:
a. The names of a few characteristic or conspicuous species
b. The quality of that habitat
c. The community structure (woodland, forest, etc), life form (herbaceous
perennial, succulent, shrub, etc), predominant taxonomic categories (coniferous,
graminaceous, etc), and moisture conditions (hydric, xeric, etc)
d. The distribution of vegetation types and age classes
e. A landscape review of available habitats within the associated
Landscape
Type Association (LTA) and adjacent LTAs
f. Overall landscape level habitat conditions
g. Current forest community type
h. Wildlife species and plant communities currently using the area and
those
with the potential to use the area based on the habitat present,
including species of special concern
i. Ecologically important features, such as a complex of vernal pools or
wetlands that may influence the option chosen for restoration
j. PNDI review for species of special concern that may be impacted by disturbance
and restoration options
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k. Soil quality and type
B. Identify physical site conditions in need of repair following disturbance
Many ecosystems in need of restoration are dysfunctional on account of damage to the
physical environment, such as soil compaction, soil erosion or surface water diversion.
The physical environment must be capable of sustaining viable, reproductive species
populations that comprise the plant and animal life of the restored ecosystem. This will
be especially important to consider when determining how the site will be restored.
C. Identify the need for ecological restoration and the level of restoration
It may be important to describe the improvements that are anticipated following
restoration. This is important because restoration can be conducted in several contexts.
The appropriate context should be identified in the project goals in order to underscore
the intent of restoration and avoid conflict. A few relevant contexts of restoration for
gas development might include (SER):
a. Recovery of a degraded or damaged ecosystem to its former state
b. Replacement of an ecosystem that was entirely destroyed with one of
the same kind. The new ecosystem must be entirely reconstructed
on a site that was denuded of vegetation or its benthos.
c. Transformation of another kind of ecosystem from the bioregion to
replace one which was removed from a landscape that became irreversibly
altered.
D. Identify restoration goals and objectives
Goals are the ideal states and conditions that an ecological restoration effort attempts
to achieve. Written expressions of goals provide the basis for all restoration activities,
and later they become the basis for project evaluation. Statements of ecological goals
should candidly express the degree to which recovery can be anticipated to a former
state or trajectory. Restoration goals will often take into consideration many of the
following guidelines, such as what was determined to be the need and level of
restoration, and what was found during pre-project monitoring.
E. Identify and list the kinds of ecological interventions that are needed
Many restoration projects require manipulation of the biota, particularly vegetation, to
reduce or eradicate unwanted species and to introduce or augment populations of
desirable species for successful restoration. Invasive, non-native species generally
require eradication. Other species, invasive or non-native, may be removed if they
retard or arrest biotic succession. Species that may need introduction include
mycorrhizal fungi, N-fixing bacteria, or other soil microbiota (SER). Animals can be
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enticed to colonize projects by providing perches, nest boxes, distributing coarse
detritus for small animal cover, and/or providing talus rocks (See Appendix I-III).
F. Identify biotic resource needs, sources, and considerations
Prior to restoration it will be important to consider what biotic resources (i.e. seeds,
other plant propagules, etc) will be needed for establishment at the project site with the
restoration goals taken into consideration. When determining seed choices consider
the following:
a. Source of seeds
Use appropriate seed for the region
b. Native/non-native
When planting natives, make sure the species being planted is not only
native to Pennsylvania but native to the area of restoration
c. Planting success
Use appropriate species for the site considering sunlight requirements,
soil disturbance, soil type and quality, etc.
d. Amount of management necessary
Depending on what is being planted varying amounts of management
may be required. If planting high maintenance species also consider
the proximity to necessary equipment and tools.
e. Original and potential future forest community type trajectories to support
the long-term desired condition
f. Soil quality, type and amount of compaction
g. What is required to encourage the appropriate communities
h. Bureau of Forestry’s Planting Guidelines
i. Bureau of Forestry’s Right-of-Way Planting Guidelines
j. Variety
Plant diversity is important for wildlife. The more diverse an area the
more wildlife species will be attracted to that area.
G. Perform monitoring as required to document the attainment of project goals and
objectives
Data should be required when it will be meaningful for decision making and then results
of analysis should be documented in writing. Ecological evaluations may need to occur
at various points as the system recovers.
H. Conduct an ecological evaluation of the newly completed project
This guideline requires satisfaction for the goals and objectives of the site. The
evaluation should compare the restored ecosystem to its condition prior to the initiation
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of restoration activities. The evaluation should determine whether or not the ecological
goals were met, including the ecological attributes of restored ecosystems. A final
report may be a good way to document successful restoration of a site.
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Part IV: Interim Restoration
Introduction
Interim restoration consists of minimizing the footprint of disturbance by reclaiming all
portions of the well site not needed for production operations. Some restoration features, such
as shrub stands and trees, take time to mature and achieve value to wildlife. Interim substitutes
can be used to serve the functions intended for the permanent features. There are several
practices that could potentially be implemented that may help alleviate the impacts of gas
development and provide habitat enhancements. Several suggestions include re-contouring
and revegetating any area of the site not being used, reducing the amount of edge on a site,
provide wildlife habitat with brush piles, re-using the sites for storage instead of developing a
new site.
Re-contour and revegetate where feasible
The portions of the well site not needed for operational and safety purposes could be
recontoured to either a final or intermediate contour that blends with the surrounding
topography as much as possible. Topsoil may even be able to be spread over areas not needed
for operations and revegetated.
Reducing Edge
Habitat fragmentation increases the amount of edge, which can negatively impact certain
species. If a site is not being fully utilized it might be beneficial to round the edges of the sites.
Square and circular openings will minimize the edge effect. This could also be accomplished by
feathering the edges. Feathered edges gradually blend the opening into the adjacent forest.
Feathered edges can be created through a variety of techniques including adding several rows
of shrubs leading into the forest. Typically edges must be maintained through active
management. Many species including ruffed grouse, bobwhite quail, turkeys, white-tailed
deer, rabbits, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, song sparrows, brown thrashers, gray catbirds, and
indigo buntings can benefit from feathered edges (Wilson 2006).
Brush Piles
The woody limbs and stumps from the trees removed to create the site openings could be used
to create brush piles. Brush piles are most beneficial to wildlife when they are located at the
edges of forest openings. They should be located within 10 feet from the woodland border.
Brush piles could also be placed along streams and marshes within or next to woodlands.
When properly located and constructed, brush piles can benefit many species of wildlife,
including bobwhite quail, cottontail rabbits, ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, skunks, raccoons,
juncos, and sparrows. Predators such as foxes, bobcats, hawks, owls and coyotes also benefit
from the small mammal and bird populations found in or around brush piles.
Re-use of site
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In order to reduce the amount of fragmentation a site temporarily not being used could be
utilized for storage, staging area or some other use that would eliminate the development of
another pad site.
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Part V: Final Restoration Options
Introduction
Final restoration can begin once all activity on the site is complete. Restoration is
considered successful when long-term ecosystem sustainability has been obtained.
However, there are a lot of choices that can be made in the process of restoration. The
decision of what to restore the site to should be made as early in the process as possible,
although situations may arise in which adaptive management may have to be utilized.
There are several choices when it comes to restoration on State Forest Lands. The site may
be best suited to:
Revert back to what it was originally
Fill a lacking habitat/species
Provide additional food and hunting opportunities with food plots
Special habitat enhancement
The following restoration options describe several methods and things to consider in
establishing various types of habitat and are based on the degree of management. This
document should help in making a well-informed decision on how best to restore a site.
The details of whether to revert a site to the original habitat or to go with another option
will be best decided at the site level. Regardless of the final choice, the goal should be longterm ecosystem sustainability.
The restoration plan should consider the Bureau of Forestry’s Planting Guidelines and Best
Management Practices manual for gas development, address the potential for invasive
species introduction, and be appropriate for overall Bureau of Forestry objectives.
Whenever possible, consider the native species that were present prior to disturbance for a
restoration option and limit the use of non-natives, unless suitable for the determined
objectives.
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Natural or assisted regeneration usually involves no or minimal planting, instead encouraging
the natural processes of forest succession (Hardwick et al. 2000). This is a passive restoration
approach and will work best in areas where disturbance was minimal and not where land was
disturbed in a manner that removed rooting systems, and vegetation, including seeds and plant
material capable of resprouting.
Some minimal seeding, such as for erosion and sedimentation control or temporary
establishment of vegetation, may be necessary where natural regeneration is the preferred
restoration option.
Things to Consider
1. Potential for arrested succession: If soil conditions are not suitable or the understory
vegetation is too competitive for tree recruitment the site may remain in the grass-herbshrub stage with only scattered trees for several decades after the disturbance. This
stable vegetation state is called “arrested succession,” which is a failure of later
successional species to establish and eventually dominate the site (Abrams et al. 1985,
The Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, ARRI). This also creates long-term
conditions suitable for invasive plant establishment. Arrested succession also occurs in
areas where high deer or rodent populations consume or destroy tree seedlings or
where invasive species dominate the vegetation layer.
2. Rooting medium quality: If soil replacement results in a rooting medium that is shallow
or has been compacted, the site will be prone to drought and plant nutrition problems.
Seeds of unplanted forest species that are carried to the site by wind or wildlife will not
germinate and grow if the soil surface is compacted or has chemical properties that are
not well suited to their needs (ARRI).
3. Management: The vegetation germinating newly disturbed sites should be monitored
to be sure undesired vegetation, such as invasive plants, are not present. Treatment of
undesirable vegetation should be done with assurance that desirable vegetation will
naturally seed in or may be planted.
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Forest Restoration
Typically, natural processes that lead to restoration of the forest vegetation after a
disturbance usually begins quickly and result in development of another forest. However,
the quality of that forest and the speed with which it develops depend upon the conditions
created by the gas development and restoration process. Although native forests will
eventually be restored on such areas by natural succession, this process is slow and
centuries may be required (Skousen et al. 2007, Angel 2005) depending on the extent of
disturbance.
Forest restoration should aim to match original levels of species diversity and sustainability,
while planting or encouraging tree species that are known to be originally present.
Reforestation can be accomplished through a combination of passive and active restoration.
Although more active restoration may be required on some sites which are more highly
degraded. More active restoration can shorten the time it takes nature to produce a
valuable forest by preparing the site with loose, good quality soils that encourage
establishment of volunteer early-successional species; and by planting a mixture of earlyand later- successional tree species.
Things to Consider
1. Soil: The soils on many gas development sites are going to be heavily compacted,
making establishing forest vegetation challenging. Some compaction may even occur
during the redistribution of stockpiled topsoil to the site. Therefore, low compaction
grading processes should be utilized during restoration activities (Sweigard 2007, ARRI).
If low grading compaction techniques are not used, methods to reduce compaction and
aerate the soil may be necessary to create conditions suitable for establishing woody
vegetation. Soil “ripping” may be necessary for successful establishment of trees and
shrubs, a practice commonly used in strip mine reclamation. Sites with the least
compacted soils may be the most suitable for establishing forest.
2. Tree-Compatible Ground Cover: If future establishment of trees and forest productivity
are goals, tree-compatible ground covers should be used. There are many treecompatible ground covers suitable to control erosion and meet ground cover
requirements. Tree-compatible ground cover guidelines include using less competitive
species, lower seeding rates, less nitrogen (N) fertilizer, and accepting a less-dense
herbaceous ground cover in the first few years after seeding. For more information see,
“Tree-Compatible Ground Covers for Reforestation and Erosion Control” by Burger et al.
2009.
3. Community Type and Species selection: If planting trees is a part of the restoration plan
it is important to select suitable and appropriate tree species to regenerate. It may be
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important to consider the historical community type and the possibility of an adjusted
community type trajectory by the time restoration is complete. Other factors to
consider include:
a. The ecosystem/sites’ goals and objectives
b. Site capabilities
c. Existing natural regeneration and surrounding community type
d. Historical vegetation
e. Variation in growth rate and seed production
f. Mixing of deciduous and coniferous species
g. Planting a diversity of trees and shrubs
h. Sunlight requirements
i. Locally adapted seed sources
j. Bureau of Forestry planting guidelines
Shrubs and herbaceous species can also be used in conjunction with tree plantings, as
they are a natural and important structural element in early-successional forests and in
wildlife habitat. Establishing non-tree vegetation around seedlings and saplings will also
help prevent the establishment of non-desirable competing vegetation. Consider the
plant community when deciding additional species to plant among the regenerating
forest.
4. Management: On sites that have been significantly disturbed, establishing forest tree
regeneration may be difficult. Some species, such as oak and hemlock may require
intensive management for successful regeneration, including installing deer exclosures,
treating competing vegetation, and replanting of failed seedlings. Another challenge to
reforesting is controlling rodents. The rodents feed on the bark at the base of young
trees, which in most cases kills or severely damage the tree. These restoration options
will likely require some level of monitoring to gauge the relative success of planted or
naturally regenerated tree seedlings. Using lower rates of native’s species that combine
cool season grasses, legumes, and warm season grass may create desirable conditions
for a wide array of wildlife and be generally easy to maintain.
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Permanent Forest Opening/Right-of-Way
Ecological succession describes the changes in plant composition over time (Groninger 2007).
Vegetation established by restoration, either passively or actively, will most likely be a
combination of planted and volunteer herbaceous species, nurse/wildlife trees, and crop trees.
The combination of plantings can be altered and the level of succession arrested to suite the
goals of the site.
Things to Consider
There are many things to consider before deciding whether an artificially created forest
opening should be made permanent. First, make sure you have identified your goals and
objectives for the site. It is important to know when creating permanent openings will be
beneficial or detrimental to the ecosystem and overall landscape. Therefore, it may be
important to consult ecological services prior to determining whether a permanent opening
and what kind is established. The following is a list of things to consider when deciding whether
creating a permanent forest opening is the best option.
1. Juxtaposition: Juxtaposition refers to the arrangement (the placement) of habitats.
This is an important concept when managing an area for wildlife, especially wildlife with
relatively small home ranges. Therefore, it is important to consider proximity to and
arrangement with other habitat types (including other early-successional habitats)
a. Generally, for species with small home ranges (e.g. rabbits, bobwhites, small
mammals), creating openings in close proximity to one another might be
preferred. On the other hand, highly mobile species such as deer, turkeys, bears,
and some species of birds will readily use widely scattered opening.
b. Assess you current habitat conditions in conjunction with your management
objectives to help decide whether to maintain, how many to maintain, or to
restore the openings to forest.
2. Particular Wildlife Species of Interest: The type of wildlife species and type of habitat
that will use a particular opening depends on a variety of factors including:
a. The type of habitat provided by the opening
b. The types of wildlife locally and regionally present
c. Topography and hydrology
3. Patch Size and Right-of-Way Width: Even though the size and shape of the site may
already have been established, it may benefit the success of the site to alter these
factors. For instance, small isolated patches less than two acres are not large enough
for species such as New England cottontails, yellow-breasted chats, and field sparrows
to survive. However, they are large enough for species that have small home ranges
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including various butterflies, dragonflies, and some song-birds such as chestnut-sided
warblers. Typically, openings should be:
a. At least 50’ wide or, if possible, about 100’ wide to provide nearby escape cover
and create an even amount of shaded and sunlit areas (MacGowan 2003). This is
because small mammals seldom venture more than 50 feet from escape cover.
b. At least twice as long as they are wide (MacGowan 2003).
c. Long, rectangular shaped openings will maximize the amount of edge, if you are
managing for edge specific species
d. Square and circular openings will minimize edge effects, if you are managing for
species in which edge could be detrimental
e. Limit the number of straight-sided rectangular openings. Nature seldom creates
straight lines.
4. Soil: The soils on many gas development sites are going to be heavily compacted. On
some sites where compaction is the most severe, herbaceous or successional plantings
may be the most appropriate restoration strategy. Low compaction grading techniques
should be implemented during restoration activities. Soil pH and type should also be
considered if food plots and certain plant species are of interest.
5. Slope: The slope of the opening will determine the amount of sunlight and should be
taken into consideration when determining plant species success. A south facing slope
is the most desirable location because it will provide more ground area exposed to the
sunlight. However, it will tend to be drier in the summer heat. In early spring many
species will use openings with a south-facing slope because green browse will appear
there first as the snow melts.
6. Species selection: There are a lot of plant species and things to consider when
determining what type of permanent opening to maintain. It will be important to
consider the plant community type on the site and surrounding landscape. Other
factors to consider include:
a. The sites goals and objectives
b. Site capabilities
c. Historical vegetation
d. Variation in growth rate and seed production
e. Mixing of herbaceous plants and shrubs
f. Sunlight requirements
g. Soil type and moisture
h. Locally adapted seed sources
i. Bureau of Forestry Planting Guidelines
7. Food plots: Planting food plots is a popular habitat management practice. Quality food
plots can provide valuable digestible energy and protein. Prior to starting a food plot, it
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is important to understand how food plots should be used to augment the quantity and
quality of naturally occurring foods, not take the place of them. Keep in mind that:
a. Food is only one component of habitat and it might attract wildlife, but cover will
hold them. Hard-and soft-mast bearing trees and shrubs may need to be planted
to provide additional food and cover.
b. Single, small isolated food plots that contain an annual crop have little impact on
the overall supply of food and typically benefit only a small number of individual
animals.
c. Food plots can also increase predation on small mammals as wildlife can
become concentrated around food plots. In some locations with high deer
concentrations, deer may eat the food plot before it even develops or matures.
8. Maintenance: Once a good forest opening has been established it will require
maintenance. The necessary maintenance will depend on what type of opening has
been established. When succession has reached the desired stage, it will have to be set
back by disking, mowing, prescribed fire, or some other management technique. If the
goal is to establish the opening as herbaceous, succession will have to be stopped by
killing regenerating trees. If the goal is to have a permanent early-successional opening
and allow trees to regrow, the opening’s effect on early-successional wildlife species will
last less than 15 years (Lanier 2006). If the goal is to maintain a food plot these
openings will need to be disked seeded, and possibly fertilized every year.
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Wetlands
A restoration consideration may be to try and create wetlands. This option may be possible in
certain circumstances such as:
Enhancing degraded wetlands
Creating or restoring a wetland in a wetland complex
Creating habitat for lacking species
A variety of techniques may be used to create a vernal pool. The complexity of this work often
depends on the site and the desired size of the pond. Typically if projects fail it is because the
ponds do not hold water long enough for aquatic plants to become established and for aquatic
animal larvae to completely develop. Building a pond that fails to hold water is generally due to
permeable soils, a poorly constructed core under the dam, or the failure to compact soil during
construction. Some other things to consider include (Biebighauser 2002):
a. Know the area and the soils. In general, it is easier and less expensive to create a
wetland in an area that has soils that can be made to hold water without using a
synthetic liner
b. Look for construction fill. If the area has been filled with waste rock, gravel, stumps,
and logs, it will be more permeable making it difficult to construct a wetland unless
a synthetic liner is used
c. Consider the slope. An area with less than 3% slope works best for construction
d. Consider the surrounding landscape. A greater variety and number of species can be
expected to use a wetland if it is built near other wetlands. However, a variety of
species will use a wetland that is built in most any location.
e. Avoid conflicts. Other considerations in deciding where to build a vernal pool should
include the long-term management and maintenance of the completed wetland.
Avoid placing vernal pools in areas where disturbance cannot be avoided.
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Part VI. Summary
Although gas development has the potential to create ecological impacts, with proper planning
and effective, thoughtful implementation, we can hopefully use some of this activity to create
suitable habitat for many species of plant and wildlife during the interim and final restoration of
gas-related sites. By following the Bureau of Forestry’s Best Management Practices for Oil and
Gas Activity on State Forest Land, Planting Guidelines, and this document successful restoration
of sites will be on track for long-term ecosystem sustainability.
Each case should be evaluated and decisions made at a landscape level based on the
surrounding habitats, overall habitat conditions, and what is needed during the restoration
process to encourage the appropriate community response. Whether the choice at a site is to
revert back to pre-disturbance conditions, fill a lacking habitat/species, provide additional
hunting and food opportunities with food plots or create special habitat enhancement, the
objectives should be to establish vegetation that can aid in controlling erosion, allow
recruitment by native plant species for increased diversity, fix N from the atmosphere, create
wildlife habitat, minimize invasion of exotic species, and develop into a productive forest
dominated by native species. There is no doubt that restoration will take years or decades to
reach the management objective; however, this means it is even more important to look at
every step in restoration as an opportunity to reduce gas development impacts and enhance
habitat for plants and wildlife.
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Part VII. Species/Habitat Relationships
Dry-Oak Mixed Hardwood (AD)
When Appropriate:
Common throughout the state
Better on less acidic sites
Should support a good diversity of spring ephemerals
Dominant Species:
Important Wildlife Species:
Native oaks
Black bear, Blue jay, Deer, Nuthatches, Ring-necked pheasants,
Ruffed grouse, Wood duck, woodpeckers
Native hickories
Bats (esp. shagbark hickory), Red-bellied woodpeckers, Rosebreasted grosbeaks
Sweet birch
Beaver, Black-capped chickadee, Porcupine, Ruffed grouse
Red maple
Bats, Deer
Sugar maple
Deer, Porcupines, Snowshoe hare, many spp. of birds feed on bark,
buds, twigs and fruit
Basswood
Upland game birds and songbirds, Porcupine and Foxes eat the
seeds or the bark, Deer feed on the twigs and leaves, Older, dying
and dead basswood trees provide dens for many animals, including
Porcupines and Raccoons
Flowering dogwood
Songbirds, Upland game birds, Foxes, Black bear, Beaver, Skunks,
Deer, Provides shelter and habitat for many wildlife species
Hornbeam
Beaver, Bobwhite, Fox squirrels, Ring-necked pheasants, Ruffed
grouse, Songbirds
Serviceberry
Twigs, leaves and buds are eaten by deer and rabbits. The
fruits are eaten by thrushes, many other songbirds, rodents, small mammals
and bear. Grouse, turkey, squirrels, chipmunks, beaver and foxes will eat
twigs, buds and fruits at various times.
Redbud
Cardinals, ring-necked pheasants, rose-breasted grosbeaks, whitetailed deer, and bobwhites have been observed feeding on the seeds.
Flowers of the tree are regarded as important in the production of honey
by bees.
Mountain Laurel
Ruffed grouse may eat leaves and buds, provides good winter cover
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Tick-trefoil
Bobwhite quail, Deer, Ring-necked pheasant, Turkeys
Pennsylvania Sedge
Horned lark, Ruffed grouse, Turkey
Dry-Oak Heath (AH)
When Appropriate:
Common throughout the state.
Better on acidic soil.
Herbaceous layer typically sparse and dominated by ericaceous shrubs.
Fire has been a historic disturbance in the maintenance of this vegetation type.
Dominant Species:
Native oaks
-primarily chestnut
Important Wildlife Species:
Black bear, Blue jay, Deer, Nuthatches, Ring-necked pheasants,
Ruffed grouse, Wood duck, woodpeckers
Sassafras
Crested flycatchers, Quails, Turkeys, Kingbirds, Mockingbirds,
Sapsuckers, Pileated woodpeckers, Yellowthroat warblers, Phoebes,
Black bears, Beaver, Deer
Black Gum
Black bears, Foxes, Wood ducks, turkeys, Woodpeckers,
Mockingbirds, Brown thrashers, Thrushes, Flickers, Deer, Beaver,
Provides cavity and nesting sites for a variety of birds and mammals
Sweet birch
Beaver, Black-capped chickadee, Porcupine, Ruffed grouse
Red maple
Bats, Deer
Native hickories
Bats (esp. shagbark hickory), Red-bellied woodpeckers, Rosebreasted Grosbeaks
Virginia pine
Woodpeckers, Pine siskin, Pine grosbeak, Songbirds, Deer
Eastern white pine
Yellow-bellied sapsuckers, Pine warblers, Red crossbills, Beaver,
Porcupine, Deer, Snowshoe hare, Bald eagles
Mountain Laurel
Huckleberry
Ruffed grouse may eat leaves and buds, provides good winter cover
Ruffed grouse, Quail, Turkey, Scarlet tanager, Eastern towhee, Fox
squirrels, Deer, host for the larva of the Huckleberry Spinx, Paonias
astylus, Butterflies Including Brown elfin and Henry’s Elfin,
Bumblebees and wild bees
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Pennsylvania Sedge
Horned lark, Ruffed grouse, Turkey
Blueberry
Ruffed grouse, Black bear, Quail, Bluebird, Scarlet tanager, Foxes,
Deer, Thrushes, Skunks, Fox squirrels
Maple-leaved viburnum
Deer, Skunks, Ruffed grouse, Ring-necked pheasants, Turkeys,
Beaver
Sweet-fern
Teaberry
Foliage is one food source of apple sphinx caterpillar, Sphinx gordius
Deer, Turkey, Ruffed grouse, Ring-necked pheasant, Black bear,
Red fox
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Northern Hardwood (BB)
When Appropriate:
Common throughout the northern portion of the state.
Sites where sugar maple is dominant likely contain more basic soils.
Should support a good diversity of spring ephemerals.
Less than 25% cover of conifers.
Dominant Species:
Important Wildlife Species:
American beech
Black bears, Foxes, Ruffed grouse, Ducks, Cover for Chickadees
Red maple
Bats, Deer
Sugar maple
Deer, Porcupines, Snowshoe hare, many spp. of birds feed on bark,
buds, twigs and fruit
Black cherry
Fruits are important food source for numerous species of Passerine
birds, Game birds, and Mammals including Foxes, Black bears,
Raccoons
Sweet birch
Beaver, Black-capped chickadee, Porcupine, Ruffed grouse
Yellow birch
Snowshoe hare, Deer, Ruffed grouse, Red squirrels, Beaver,
Porcupines
Native oaks
-primarily red oak
Black bear, Blue jay, Deer, Nuthatches, Ring-necked pheasants,
Ruffed grouse, Wood duck, woodpeckers
Witch-hazel
Ruffed grouse
Hornbeam
Beaver, Bobwhite, Fox squirrels, Ring-necked pheasants, Ruffed
grouse, Songbirds
Canada mayflower
Hobblebush
Serviceberry
White-tailed deer, ruffed grouse and other birds, chipmunks and other
rodents
Deer, Beaver, Skunks, Ruffed grouse, Turkeys, Cardinals, Cedar
Waxwings, Thrushes, Brown thrashers
Twigs, leaves and buds are eaten by deer and rabbits. The
fruits are eaten by thrushes, many other songbirds, rodents, small mammals
and bear. Grouse, turkey, squirrels, chipmunks, beaver and foxes will eat
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twigs, buds and fruits at various times.
New York fern
Rhododendron
Provides cover
Cover for Deer, Black bears, Snowshoe hares, Ruffed grouse,
Turkeys, Songbirds
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Hemlock (White-Pine)- Northern Hardwood (FB)
When Appropriate:
Common throughout the state.
Mid to lower slopes or cool, moist terrain on plateau.
Typically late successional, not directly developing from early successional forest
At least 25% cover of conifers and often a rich bryophyte layer.
Dominant Species:
Hemlock
Important Wildlife Species:
Ninety-six bird and forty-seven mammal species are associated with
hemlock
Sassafras
Crested flycatchers, Quails, Turkeys, Kingbirds, Mockingbirds,
Sapsuckers, Pileated woodpeckers, Yellowthroat warblers, Phoebes,
Black bears, Beaver, Deer
Eastern white pine
Yellow-bellied sapsuckers, Pine warblers, Red crossbills, Beaver,
Porcupine, Deer, Snowshoe hare, Bald eagles
American beech
Black bears, Foxes, Ruffed grouse, Ducks, Cover for Chickadees
Sweet birch
Beaver, Black-capped chickadee, Porcupine, Ruffed grouse
Red maple
Bats, Deer
Sugar maple
Deer, Porcupines, Snowshoe hare, many spp. of birds feed on bark,
buds, twigs and fruit
Yellow birch
Snowshoe hare, Deer, Ruffed grouse, Red squirrels, Beaver,
Porcupines
Witch-hazel
Ruffed grouse
Rhododendron
Cover for Deer, Black bears, Snowshoe hares, Ruffed grouse,
Turkeys, Songbirds
Viburnum
Deer, Beaver, Skunks, Ruffed grouse, Turkeys, Cardinals, Cedar
Waxwings, Thrushes, Brown thrashers
New York fern
Black cherry
Provides cover
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birds, Game birds, and Mammals including Foxes, Black bears,
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Raccoons
Native alders
Deer, Elk, Redpolls, Siskins, Goldfinches, Beavers
Appendix
I. Nest Boxes
Nest boxes such as bluebird boxes can be placed to enhance habitat for wildlife. Boxes can be placed
around the edges of herbaceous openings and food plots and will be used by a variety of canopy-nesting
species including bluebirds, chickadees, tree swallows, house wrens, and deer mice.
Bat boxes, which typically house summer maternity colonies of little brown or big brown bats, can be
erected on posts in wildlife openings if water is nearby. The boxes must receive at least 7-8 hours of
direct sunlight per day and as such should not be placed on trees.
The booklet Woodworking for Wildlife (PGC, fourth edition) has a variety of nest box plans and
instructions on proper placement. Boxes do require periodic maintenance and replacement, but can
prove valuable for many wildlife species.
II. Dead and Down Woody Material
Dead and down woody material is valuable to many different species of wildlife. Numerous types of
invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals can be found on, in, or under fallen logs. These logs
may be used as nesting sites, feeding sites, or escape cover. Ruffed grouse use logs for drumming sites
as a part of their mating rituals. A lot of small mammals use this habitat type for hiding and food caches.
Several salamander species spend just their adult life phase in a rotting log foraging for invertebrates
and hiding, whereas a few species may spend their entire life in a single log. Coarse woody debris is host
to a huge number of insects, approximately 400, and an unknown but large number of non-insect
invertebrates. Therefore, it is important to maintain some level of down woody material on the forest
floor. The larger and less decayed material is best, however, any size can usually be utilized by some
species.
III. Brush Piles
When natural cover is limited in wildlife habitat, brush piles may be provided. Brush piles could be a byproduct of other land management activities. Timber harvest and timber stand improvements provide
the woody limbs suitable for brush piles. Brush piles are most beneficial to wildlife when they are
located at the edges of forest openings. They should be located within 10 feet from the woodland
border. Brush piles could also be placed along streams and marshes within or next to woodlands. When
properly located and constructed, brush piles can benefit many species of wildlife, including bobwhite
quail, cottontail rabbits, ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, skunks, raccoons, juncos, and sparrows. Predators
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such as foxes, bobcats, hawks, owls and coyotes also benefit from the small mammal and bird
populations found in or around brush piles.
Materials used for brush piles will largely depend on what is available. Hardwoods, including oak and
locust, are rot resistant and make durable bases. Other suitable materials include large stumps, cull
logs, old fence posts and stones. Brush piles are usually mound shaped and ideally, should be six to
eight feet high and 15 feet in diameter. Covering brush piles with evergreen boughs will provide wildlife
with additional cover. Brush piles are relatively short lived (six to eight years) and new ones should be
created periodically.
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IV. Manage Priority Species by District
The following list of priority species for each State Forest District was adapted from the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s priority list of each
Species of Conservation Concern. If you are interested in managing for a particular species please contact Ecological Services and the
jurisdictional agency, the Pennsylvania Game Commission or Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Common Name
Allegheny Woodrat
Delmarva Fox Squirrel
Small-footed Bat
Indiana Bat
WVA Water Shrew
1
5A
1
A
1
3
1
2
4A
3
A
3
3
3
2
4B
3
A
3
3
1
3
4B
3
A
3
3
1
4
2C
3
A
2
3
3
5
4A
3
A
3
3
3
Appalachian Cottontail
Spotted Skunk
Least Shrew
Northern Flying Squirrel
Rock Vole
Silver-haired Bat
Southeastern Fox Squirrel
2
1b
3
1
A
1
3
2
3b
1
A
1
2
2
2
1b
2
A
1
2
3
2
1b
2
A
1
2
3
3
3b
1
2
1
2
1
2
3b
1
A
1
2
2
PGC Wildlife Management Unit Codes and District Forests for Species of Conservation Concern
5
6
7
8
8
9
9
10
11
12
12
13
14
14
15
4D
2C
4D
2D
2F
2E
2G
2G
3D
4D
2G
2G
1B
2F
2G
3
3
3
1
1
2
3
3
1
3
3
3
A
1
3
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
3
2
3
2
1
3
2
2
3
3
2
2
2
1
2
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
2
3
1
1
1
1
1
A
3
A
1
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
15
3A
1
A
1
1
A
16
2G
3
A
2
1
A
16
3A
1
A
1
1
A
16
3B
1
A
3
2
A
17
5B
1
A
1
3
A
17
5C
A
1-Aa
2
3
A
18
4C
3
A
3
3
A
18
4E
3
A
3
3
A
19
3D
1
A
3
2
A
20
3B
1
A
3
2
A
2
A
1
2
A
3
A
3
A
1
3
1
3
A
2
A
1
2
A
3
A
3
A
1
3
3
3
A
1
1b
2
1
A
1
2
A
A
1
A
A
1
2
3
A
1
3
3
2
A
3
A
1
2
1
2
A
3
A
1
3
3
3
A
3
A
1
3
3
3
A
Eastern Red Bat
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Fisher
1
2
2
2
3
2
3
3
3
2
2
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
1
2
3
1
3
Hoary Bat
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Least Weasel
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Northern Water Shrew
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
3
1
2
3
2
2
2
3
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
River Otter
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
1
2
2
3
3
2
2
2
3
2
1
2
Showshoe Hare
A
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
3
1
3
3
3
2
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
a
Between April 1987 & October 1988, twenty fox squirrels were released at a single site in Chester County. No recent records are known for the area and it is believed that these squirrels are
absent from all management units.
b
No recent records, may be absent from all units.
1=Low Priority; 2=Medium; 3=High; A=Presumed Absent
2
1
2
2
1
1
3
2
2
2
1
2
2
3
2
1
2
2
A
3
A
2
1
2
1
A
1
A
2
2
2
1
3
1
2
2
2
2
1
3
3
3
2
2
2
1
2
3
3
2
2
2
1
2
2
3
3
A
1
1
2
2
A
3
3b
1
2
1
2
1
3
A
1
1
2
2
A
2
A
1
2
1
2
A
3
A
1
3
A
3
A
3
A
1
2
1
2
A
3
A
1
3
1
3
A
3
A
1
3
1
3
A
3
A
1
3
3
3
A
3
A
1
1
2
2
A
3
A
1
3
1
3
A
3
A
1
3
1
3
A
1
A
1
3
A
1
A
3
A
1
3
A
3
A
3
A
1
3
1
3
A
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V. Manage by Wildlife Species
These are simply short informational paragraphs on certain species of interest and wildlife action plan
species. If you are interested in managing for a particular species please contact Ecological Services and
the jurisdictional agency, the Pennsylvania Game Commission or Pennsylvania Fish and Boat
Commission.
American Woodcock
Woodcock abundance is closely related to the availability and quality of four distinct types of habitat.
Clearings are important to provide courtship areas for males. Near the clearings there should be good
nesting and brood rearing cover consisting of young, second growth hardwoods. Also of great
importance is the need for abundant feeding covers made up of alders or dense stands of young aspen
on moist, rich soils. Lastly, woodcock require large fields to roost in at night. Woodcock management
generally works best on forestlands with a good amount of aspen and birch mixed with a few old farm
fields, several forest openings, and a few brush lowland areas. Forests dominated by maples, oaks,
pines, or spruce typically do not provide high-quality woodcock habitat.
The woodcock feeds on invertebrates by probing the soil with its long bill. Woodcocks are opportunistic
and consume a variety of invertebrates. Earthworms make up 50-90 per cent of the woodcock’s diet.
Alders and second growth forest located on fertile, moist soil are favorite feeding sites. Other animal
foods, such as beetles and fly larvae are also eaten. Planting shrubs such as alder, hawthorn, gray
dogwood, spicebush, silky dogwood, black haw and dentate viburnum around ponds, along streams, and
in wet bottom lands or marshes will provide adequate cover in these areas where soil fertility and
earthworm production is good.
Appalachian Cottontail
The Appalachian cottontail is more specialized than the eastern cottontail. Appalachian cottontails are
typically found at higher elevations and are often associated with coniferous forests and dense
understory forests. They are the only cottontails known to feed heavily on conifer needles. They are
known to inhabit brushy habitat, especially birch/red maple forests, hemlock and rhododendron areas
within oak-hickory forests, blueberries, mountain laurel and coniferous forests. The rabbits are
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sometimes especially abundant in five to ten year old clear-cuts, and around brushy edges of mountain
balds.
Bobwhite Quail
Bobwhite quail require their habitat needs to be in close proximity. It is important that nesting cover,
brooding cover, loafing cover and escape cover must be close, generally within a 40-acre area.
Therefore, it will be important to concentrate on improving quality cover and proximity of required
cover types to meet the year-round needs of these game birds.
Litte bluestem and sideoats gramma provides excellent structure for nesting for bobwhite quail. Nesting
habitat should be adjacent to brooding habitat. Fields intended for quail should be relatively open with
a forb canopy overhead. Forbs that should be encouraged for bobwhites include ragweed, pokeweed,
partridge pea, native lespedezas, milk pea, and butterfly pea. Grasses that provide quality seed include
panicgrasses and foxtail grasses. Good shrubs include blackberry, wild plum, elderberry should be
scattered throughout the field to provide protective cover for loafing and escaping.
Elk
Elk are primarily grazers and prefer open brushlands and grasslands for foraging and forested areas for
winter and security cover. Ideal elk habitat is comprised of a mosaic of brushland and grassland with
islands of forest that are interspersed with agricultural land. Food preferences of elk vary with the time
of year. Among natural foods, grasses and forbs make up the bulk of the diet during the snow-free
period. Woody browse is used during late fall and winter when herbaceous forage is less abundant. Elk
also utilize agricultural crops, particularly those adjacent to wild land where they can feed without
venturing far from cover. Sunflowers, soybeans and oats are favored crops, while corn, wheat and
barley are also utilized. Alfalfa is utilized during spring green-up and late in the fall.
Forest openings for Elk should be from 3 to 40 acres in size. Food choices might include sunflowers,
soybeans, oats, winter wheat, corn, buckwheat, clover, or alfalfa to provide food. Aspen cover and early
successional shrubland provide good habitat for elk and other wildlife as well.
Golden-winged Warbler
The Golden-winged warbler prefers higher elevation, early successional habitat with patches greater
than 20 acres in size. Suitable habitat for golden-winged warblers is areas with small, interspersed
patches of herbs and multi-stemmed shrubs or root-suckering trees, plus a forested edge. During winter
it seems to favor semi-open or less dense forests, forest borders and gaps. The males arrive on the
breeding ground a few days ahead of the females. The female usually selects a nest site on the ground,
which she will build.
They typically eat leaves and twigs, often concentrating its foraging at dead leaf clusters. They will
sometime be seen hanging upside-down like a chickadee while foraging. It often focuses on moths,
their larvae and pupae. Most foraging takes place in the upper half of trees and shrubs in the perimeter
of the branches on the breeding ground.
Ruffed Grouse
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Ruffed grouse require a number of vegetation stages or types. Optimum ruffed grouse habitat should
include brushy areas, young aspen stands, mature aspen stands with an understory of hazel or
ironwood, and dense sapling aspen stands.
Aspen trees are an important habitat component for ruffed grouse. Aspen trees 15 years and older
provide the most important year-round food sources in the form of green leaves, flower buds, and
catkins. During winter the flower buds of aspen become the staple grouse food, but winter catkins of
hazel and those of willow and birch are also eaten.
Aspen younger than 12 or 15 years provide the thick, dense cover that helps protect nesting grouse and
hens with broods from aerial predators (hawks and owls) and land predators (foxes and coyotes).
Therefore, the key to more grouse is to create varying ages of aspen, when possible, and a variety of
hardwoods and brushy covers when aspen is not available. A grouse can be sustained in 10 to 20 acres if
the habitat is ideal.
Species composition and density also determine the long-term capabilities of your woods in sustaining
grouse. Tall shrubs, greater than 5 feet, provide year round food and cover. Recommended species
include hazel-nut, dogwood, witch hazel, serviceberry, and nannyberry. Maintenance of dense young
forest should be the highest priority of grouse habitat management. In addition, ground cover such as
blown down trees and debris, also provide substantial cover and necessary drumming sites.
If there are no aspen, oak, or lowland hardwoods, grouse may still be attracted to woody plants such as
apples, crabapples, hawthorn, wild plums, dogwoods, nannyberry, raspberry, blackberry, sumac, grape,
willow, cherry, hazelnut, and ironwood. Make small clearcuts no larger than 2 1/2 acres in size in the
interior of the woods, sparing the above species. The result will be an explosion of dense thickets of
young trees and shrubs, which will attract grouse.
Whenever you make a clearcut for grouse, be sure to leave one log per acre as a potential drumming
site. The log must be at least 10 inches in diameter and cut at least 3 feet from the ground so as to leave
a sufficiently sized stump. Eventually young trees will grow over the log, and a drumming site will
develop.
Snowshoe Hare
Snowshoe hare are active year-round, mostly at dawn, dusk, or at night. They seek shelter next a ledge
or large rock, or under tree roots, hollow logs, or fallen trees. This shelter will often be used by the
same hare throughout the year. Hare are typically active within a core area of 5-10 acres, but they may
range up to 25 cares. Hare populations are cyclical, with peaks usually occurring every 9-11 years.
Snowshoe hare typically avoid open areas, but may be found in cut-over areas including clearcuts,
blowdowns, and burns. Cover is very important habitat component for hare. They require good base
cover, which is the dense softwood cover where they spend the day. Softwood stands with tree heights
of 8-15 feet and low lateral visibility (5,000-13,000 stems per acre) is good base cover. Travel cover is
also important and is used to move from their daytime cover to a food source. Good travel cover
includes tree heights of 15-46 feet with a more open understory (1,000-3,000 stems per acre). General
recommendations within a 20-acre management unit can include maintaining 30% base cover, 45%
travel cover, 10% herbaceous food source, and 15% regeneration.
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In summer hare will often eat clover, grass, dandelions, berries, and ferns. In winter they typically shift
to twigs, buds, tender bark of shrubs and trees, and stems of bushes and saplings including aspen, alder,
spruce, fir, birch, willow, and pine.
Wild Turkey
Habitat management for turkeys consists of retaining, creating and managing suitable food, cover and
water. Turkeys need forestland, with a variety of forest types with open areas well distributed. Adults
use openings for resting and feeding. Turkeys usually select areas with dense brush, tall grass, and fallen
tree tops for nesting. Important brood habitat includes forested areas with moderate herbaceous
understories, forest clearings, power line rights-of-way and a water source. Forest openings for turkeys
should be at least 1 acre or more in size, especially in areas with high deer densities. They should be
well distributed and located in or near woods.
Most of the cool-season forage plots listed for white-tailed deer will attract wild turkeys as well,
especially clovers. If you want to manage for turkeys and quail along with deer, use wheat instead of
oats in the forage mixtures listed for deer.
Choice foods for the late fall, winter and spring are acorns, beechnuts, flowering dogwood, berries, wild
grapes, pine seed, as well as, small grains and winter clovers. Use of food plots by wild turkeys
increases when they are placed adjacent to favorable cover such as dense brush, tall grass and fallen
tree tops.
Food options for summer and early fall are blackberries, mulberries, millet, corn, wheat, insects, and
seeds. Mature wheat plots producing seed in May provide a quality food source for birds through the
summer. If allowed to remain fallow, these fields can provide excellent brood habitat for turkeys and
bobwhites the following summer as a variety of forbs become established from the seed bank. If you
plant wheat for turkeys, use a lighter seeding rate as opposed to the heavier seeding rate for deer
forage production.
Species of Special Concern
A PNDI review prior to well construction may reveal that a species of special concern such as the
Allegheny woodrat or timber rattlesnake are in close proximity to the site. The restored well site could
be used to create habitat for these species. Ecological Services can be consulted to assist with the
habitat creation effort. A few examples of habitat creation for the Alleghany woodrat (PA-Threatened)
and the timber rattlesnake (PA-candidate species) are given below.
Allegheny Woodrat
Woodrats are rock-dwelling mammals that are sensitive to forest fragmentation. Fragmented habitats
allow predators like the raccoon and feral cats to proliferate. Woodrat populations have become
decimated in many areas by the spread of raccoon roundworm that the little packrats acquire through
the collection of raccoon feces.
Woodrats leave their rocky denning areas at night to forage for seeds, berries, and herbaceous food
sources. Restoring contiguous forest and mast and fruit-producing trees and shrubs near their rocky
habits is important. More information is provided in the documents referenced at the end of this paper.
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Timber Rattlesnake
Timber rattlesnakes are active mid-April through mid-October and prefer upland forested areas where
they forage for small mammals. Dens or hibernacula for this species are hard to locate and may consist
of an inconspicuous opening with a few rocks that are completely under tree canopy. These den sites
may or may not have rocky, open habitat close by that is used mainly by gravid (pregnant) females for
gestation. Den habitat has not been successfully created, but valuable gestation areas for gravid
females and basking areas can be.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission have indicated that there are opportunities at food plots,
gas well clearings, and pipelines to create good gestation habitat. Forest openings created in more
remote areas with very minimal disturbance should be the areas targeted for the creation of rattlesnake
gestation habitat. Often large rock slabs will be unearthed during the excavation of these openings.
Rock placement should be in a position so the rocks receive a daily minimum of 5 to 7 hours of direct
sunlight. Large flat slabs (minimum of 4’ x 6’ piled horizontally one or two layers high) should be placed
on the north or east side of the well openings and food plots approximately 5 to 10 yards out into the
opening from the existing tree line. It is important to maintain the appropriate amount of shade and
sun on these areas to provide proper habitat. Please review the PA Fish and Boat Commission
document Guideline for Timber Rattlesnake Habitat Creation (2010) for additional information.
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Wildlife Habitat Management Leaflet. Number 11.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 2003. Native plants for wildlife habitat and
conservation landscaping. Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Annapolis, Maryland.
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Appendix 6: Emergency Contact Information
COMPANY NAME
American Exploration Company
COMPANY EMERGENCY CONTACT LISTING
24/7 Emergency #
Other #
(724) 388-4309
Jason Clark - field supervisor
(814) 787-8235
Anadarko
Atlas America/Atlas Energy
BG Production, LLC
Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC
Chief Oil and Gas
(409) 383-5403
(412) 262-4613
Name(s)
Benezette office
(409) 200-4335 cell Benny Hailey
Executive Offices
(724) 662-0300
Mercer County office
(724) 564-2360
Fayette County office
(412) 309-3457 cell
(412) 289-9310 cell
Scott Walker - field representative
Greg Rohrer - field representative
Greg Garrison - EHS Field Specialist, Operations -
(607) 738-4101 cell (607) 846-3143 office Marcellus North
866-947-6447
Drilling emergencies
866-947-6448 Pipeline emergencies
D&L Energy, Inc.
Devonian Resources (Admin)
Dominion
Eastern American Energy
Eberly Natural Gas Company
Energy Corporation of America
EOG Resources
888-343-4427 (M-F)
Mark Sitch - Safety Director &
888-524-2975 Dave Rice - field supervisor
1-888-264-8240
Dominion Transmission Gas Control
(304) 627-3072
Senior Dispatcher
(304) 627-3073
Dispatcher
(724) 463-8400
none
Mark Fry or Mike Cochran
(724) 463-8400
(724) 465-3314
none
Mark Fry or Mike Cochran
(724) 349-7620
Indiana Field Office (M-F, 8:00-5:00)
(412) 289-7177
Len Ferguson, Area Production Mgr.
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EXCO - North Coast
EXCO Resources (PA), Inc.
ExxonMobil
Hunt Oil
KSM Energy, Inc.
NCL
PGE
Penn Virginia Oil & Gas
(412) 309-3792
Nathan Wells, Sr. Safety and Env. Rep.
(412) 309-1614
Jim Cunkleman, Production Foreman
(724) 388-6057
Greg Shaffer, Construction Foreman
1-888-788-3781
1-888-788-3781
(713) 656-6300
(214) 978-8000
(412) 967-0164 office
(814) 571-4180
(281) 467-2108
(814) 723-3230
1-888-292-5017
EXCO Call Center
EXCO Call Center
(412) 576-8205 cell
Robert Golier - emergency contact
Ryan Cramer - field ops, PA
Mark Clavenna - Texas
(423) 341-7121 cell Jim Burns, Operations Manager
(484) 947-6111 cell Charity Fleenor, Environmental & Safety Mgr.
Range Resources
R E Energy Development
Seneca Resources
(814) 321-2115
(814) 730-8194
(717) 443-7098
(814) 715-5525
Timothy Beattie, Sr. VP and Appalachian Basin Mgr.
James Taydus, Production Supervisor
Melissa Hamsher, Director of Env., Health, and Safety
Every Emergency
Steve "Andy" Woodward - Primary Contact
plus also call one of the contacts below as applicable
Environmental Emergencies
(814) 771-0281 (K) (814) 389 - 7318 (W) (K) = Doug Kepler - primary contact
(W) = Ben Williams - backup contact
(814) 715-1049 (C)
Well-Related Emergencies
(814) 661-4280 (D) (C) = Steve Conley - primary contact
(D) = David Doles - backup contact
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Pipeline/Production Emergencies
(814) 541-4126 (H) (814) 715-4587 (P) (H) = Doug Hartle - primary contact
(P) = Nick Perkins - backup contact
Southwell, William
Talisman Energy
(814) 723-5178
only known phone #
800-530-5392
(607) 425-5664
Texas Keystone
UGI Corp
Ultra Resources
(724) 349-8130
(412) 337-9574
(570) 439-7127
1-877-829-8521
Zenith Exploration Company
(740) 922-0923
(412) AC # is for Vern Fuller
John Vidrine and Nick Soileau - PA safety team
(303) 645-9809
XTO Energy
company on-call manager cell #
Mary Pobuda - Regulatory Specialist
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Contact Information
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection: Bureau of Oil and Gas Contact Information
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Appendix 7: Abbreviations key for guidelines
ADF: Assistant District Forester (aka Forest Assistant Manager) = This individual is responsible
for assistance in directing the activities of a Forest District Office in the Bureau of Forestry,
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and assists the Forest District Manager in
planning, developing, implementing, and coordinating programs designed to manage, protect,
and conserve forest resources within the assigned geographical area.
ARRI: Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative = Coalition comprised of citizens, members
of the coal industry, and government; focused on restoring forests on coal mined lands in the
Eastern United States.
BMP: Best Management Practice
BOF: Bureau of Forestry = A bureau within the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources responsible for managing Pennsylvania’s State Forest lands for an array of
resources, including plant and animal habitats, recreation, timber, and oil and gas production.
BOGM: Bureau of Oil and Gas Management = A bureau within the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection that is responsible for statewide oil and gas conservation and
environmental programs to facilitate the safe exploration, development, and recovery of
Pennsylvania's oil and gas reservoirs.
D: refers to 20 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources designated forest districts
of Pennsylvania (e.g., D10 equals District 10)
DCNR: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources = This agency is
charged with maintaining and preserving the 117 state parks; managing the 2.1 million acres of
state forest land; providing information on the state's ecological and geologic resources; and
establishing community conservation partnerships with grants and technical assistance to
benefit rivers, trails, greenways, local parks and recreation, regional heritage parks, open space
and natural areas.
DEP: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection = This agency is responsible for
protecting and preserving the land, air, water, and energy resources of Pennsylvania through
enforcement of the State's environmental laws.
DF: District Forester (aka Forest District Manager). This individual is responsible for directing the
activities of a Forest District Office in the Bureau of Forestry, Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources. The Forest District Manager plans, develops, implements, evaluates, and coordinates
programs designed to manage, protect, and conserve forest resources within the assigned district.
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DSA: Driving Surface Aggregate = A mixture of crushed stone designed by Penn State
University’s Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies as a surface wearing course for unpaved
roads.
E&S: Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan = A site specific plan composed of two
components (drawings and a narrative) that together identify best management practices to
minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation before, during and after earth disturbance
activities.
EV: Exceptional Value = “A stream or watershed which constitutes an outstanding national,
state, regional, or local resource, such as waters of national, state or county parks or forests, or
waters which are used as a source of unfiltered potable water supply, or waters of wildlife
refuges or state game lands, or waters which have been characterized by the Fish Commission
as ‘Wilderness Trout Streams,’ and other waters of substantial recreational or ecological
significance.” (State Forest Resource Management Plan, DCNR, Bureau of Forestry)
FBC: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission = An independent state agency responsible for
the management of the Commonwealth’s fishing and boating resources, including the
conservation and protection of fish, reptiles, amphibians and aquatic organisms.
FSC: Forest Stewardship Council = An accredited, independent certification body established in
1993 focused on promotion of environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and
economically viable forest management.
GIS: Geographic Information System
GMT: Gas Management Team = Team created by the Bureau of Forestry in order to facilitate
the management of gas exploration and development across Pennsylvania State Forest lands
which is responsible for day to day management of the gas program
HQ: High Quality = “A stream or watershed which has excellent quality waters and
environmental or other features that require special water quality protection.” (State Forest
Resource Management Plan, DCNR, Bureau of Forestry)
MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheets
NPDES: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System = A permitting program authorized by
the Clean Water Act that regulates point sources that discharge pollutants into US waters.
OSHA: United States Department of Labor: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
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PEMA: Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency = This agency plans responses to, prevents
loss from, communicates news about, coordinates resources for and help communities recover from natural and
manmade disasters and emergencies.
PGC: Pennsylvania Game Commission = An independent state agency responsible for the
management of the Commonwealth’s wild birds and mammals, to include the conservation,
protection, and restoration of wildlife populations and their associated habitats, and the
administration and management of State Game Lands.
PHMC: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission = This agency is responsible for the
collection, conservation, and interpretation of Pennsylvania's historic heritage, through the
Pennsylvania State Archives, the State Museum of Pennsylvania, the Bureau of Historic Sites
and Museums, the Pennsylvania Trails of History, the Bureau for Historic Preservation, and the
Bureau of Management Services.
PLS: Pure Live Seed
PNDI: Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory = An environmental review tool designed to
identify potential conflicts or impacts to threatened or rare plants, animals, natural
communities, and geologic features in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources (Bureau of Forestry), Pennsylvania Game Commission,
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and US Fish and Wildlife Service are the jurisdictional
agencies that review each PNDI project for impacts to species or resources of concern.
PNHP: Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program = Partnership between the Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy,
Pennsylvania Game Commission, and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission focused on
the collection and dissemination of information and statuses on important ecological resources
in Pennsylvania.
ROS: Recreational Opportunity Spectrum = A recreational inventory and planning tool created
by the US Forest Service and adopted by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry. The version
adapted by the Bureau of Forestry defines five recreation classes for the state forests
(primitive, semi-primitive non-motorized, semi-primitive, semi-developed, developed).
SF: State Forest lands belonging to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
SFER: State Forest Environmental Review = State Forest Environmental Reviews are conducted
for projects having the potential to disrupt, alter, or otherwise change the natural environment
or character of State Forest Lands.
SFRMP: State Forest Resource Management Plan = The PA Bureau of Forestry’s comprehensive
document guiding the management of the State Forests.
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T&E: Threatened and Endangered Species = Generally a threatened species is one that may
become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout their range unless factors causing
their decline are reduced or stopped. Generally an endangered species is one that is in
imminent danger of extinction or extirpation throughout their range if factors causing their
decline continue.
USDA: NRCS: United States Department of Agriculture: Natural Resources Conservation Service
USFWS: United States Fish and Wildlife Service
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